Unusual HP-80

[John R]

I recently acquired an HP-80 with some interesting characteristics. Some of these are consistent with the first version of the HP-80, but some of these I have never seen before. Specifically, this calculator has:

• "Hewlett-Packard" label (no "80") at foot of calculator
• Metal strip under screen
• "ON" and "OFF" lettering in white
• Serial number sticker at bottom rear (not in battery compartment), seemingly stuck on top of the typical "Hewlett Packard 3.75V 500MW" sticker
• Serial number date/location code of 1143A, and stamped with "LP 99" instead of five-digit sequence number
• Raised bump on "5" key, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Thin lettering on the numeral keys, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Slightly different key coloration than other HP-80 or HP-35 calculators I have seen
  

Has anybody encountered this collection of features in an HP-80 before? I’m wondering if this is a frankencalculator, a repair job, or even a prototype.

Photos below....

"Hewlett-Packard" label at foot:


Metal strip and white ON/OFF lettering:


Serial number “1143A LP 99”:


Bump on 5 key:


This HP-80 (left) with a typical HP-80 (right), showing slightly different key coloration and thinner numerals: