Identifing RCA Victor portable phonograph

[tomb]

This is a history of RCA Victor portable phonographs produced after Victor Victrola was brought out by RCA in 1929. I had a hard time identifying all models and may have not gotten all correct. If you find an error please add it in comments or PM me. I would like to thank OrthoFan, Radio museum, American radio history . com, Steve's antique technology, Worth point, Pine crest, George Paul, Mulholland Press, and APS. . for the help and information. I have tried to include all known models but I am sure a couple more will appear. I have one unidentified model at the end.
Most of the portables were made by either Birch or the Conley Camera Co. Prior to world war two the colors consisted mostly of 50% black, 35% blue and 15% tan or brown.
I could not find any information on the RCA special order machines as far as diagrams, manuals, or parts list in checking the service manuals from 1932 thru 1946. They were made after 1935 under several configurations and colors designed by John Vasso. John Vasso was employed by RCA and also designed there first TV and several radios. I have a lot of pictures and do not know if they will all post on one posting. Therefore there might be another letter or two. Tom B

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This is the second set of picture I can only post 10 at a time. Tom B

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this is the third one Tom B

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Last one there was 33 entries

[OrthoFan]

Hi Tom:

Great Work! You obviously took some time compiling this. Much appreciated.

Hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of putting the information from your hand-written table into an excel file, and then saving it as a PDF, which I've downloaded here:

RCA Victor Portables -- 1930s-1940s.pdf

(180.67 KiB) Downloaded 130 times

Here's a JPG version of the file:

Again, MANY THANKS for all the time you took.

David

[OrthoFan]

With TomB's permission:

Here is a PDF version of this post string I created showing all of the photos "right side round" --

RCA PORTABLE OF THE 1930s and 1940s.pdf

(1.94 MiB) Downloaded 151 times

OrthoFan

[tomb]

I final found the model number of one of the RCA portables that has been elusive as there is no markings or serial number in the phonograph. Apparently it was manufactured in 1948 with model number QH 1. I have seen a lot on the net but no model number. Tom

[OrthoFan]

Hi Tom:

That's great news.

How were you able to find the model number? Did you locate an old ad or schematic?

OrthoFan

[Victrolacollector]

Thanks for sharing. Thank you for your time to research all of this information. It looks like the later portables used cheaper motors than the earlier Victor portables like the 2-55 and 2-65. I also notice they tried to make the horn area look more like a speaker with the holes in the grille.

[vansteem78]

Tom B I have I think four RCA portables if you need any extra photos of the following let me know. Here or at APS facebook site. Always on facebook it seems. lol I have a 2-65, 019, 2-25 (all metal case), o2 blue. Thanks. Always wanting more information on my portables and other machines so thanks for a great effort. Neil