The two types of Victor VV-50 portables

[52089]

Just made a short video showing the early and late types of Victor VV-50 portables. I don't recall having seen these side-by-side before. Comments welcome. Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCk-m86JmmQ[/youtube]

[CarlosV]

Well done! nothing like a show-and-tell. I have the older model, but apart from the obvious front winding hole, I had not noticed the other differences.

[beaumonde]

Yes, nicely done!

[phonogfp]

An informative overview - thanks! I've never owned a VV-50, and other than the crank escutcheon location, didn't know of the other changes between the earlier and later versions.

George P.

[phonojim]

Nice video and nice machines. However, there are actually 3 styles of this machine out there: 2 different front crank models and the side crank model. The machines in your video are actually types two and three. A type 1 VV-50 has 2 main differences from the types 2 and 3. The first is rather subtle and can fool you if you don't know what to look for. It is the position of the crank escutcheon; on the type 1, it is further away from the case handle. The 2 early VV-50s used a VV-IV motor and during the early run of the VV-50, the crank socket on the motor was moved about an inch which necessitated moving the crank hole. Second, the method of attaching the motorboard and carrying handle were changed, so the 2 cases are not interchangeable. Third, the first type had a longer horn casting which was curved up to the level of the motorboard. The second type eliminated the upward curve in the horn mouth and Victor put the curved block of wood in its place.
I learned these differences the hard way because I bought a rather ratty looking 50 and later found an empty case at an auction. O.K. - just go home and swap parts, right? Wrong! That's when I discovered the type ½ differences. The Victor Data Book will clarify the differences but you have to read carefully. I will try to post a picture of the two early machines side by side so everyone can see the difference.

Jim

[Tpapp54321]

Thank you for posting that, very neat and informative. But now I find myself wanting a VV-50
-Tom

[melvind]

Great thread. Thanks for the video. Lots of fun!

Dan

[phonojim]

Here is a picture of the 2 types of front crank VV-50. The one on the left is the earliest type. Note the difference of position of the crank escutcheon on this one versus the later style on the right. There is about 1 inch of difference between the two positions.

Jim

[jboger]

Great thread and very astute. I have what appears to be the earliest type of VV-50. Question: How do we know that? Couldn't it be the other way around, and the one with the escutcheon closest to the center came first?

[gramophone78]

Great thread and very astute. I have what appears to be the earliest type of VV-50. Question: How do we know that? Couldn't it be the other way around, and the one with the escutcheon closest to the center came first?

I would think by the serial number.... .The Victor Data book is invaluable.