Victor 6

[Josh_boro20]

Hello, everyone I just picked this up today. I have never owned a victor before and was hoping for some insight as to what I have. I believe this is a victor 6. It is missing the horn, crank and a few other small parts. The case is in good condition. I purchased this for $125, Was this a good deal on my part? What is the value of the machine as it sits? Is the motor correct?
-Joshua

[Garret]

It's hard to say what it is worth, as you have an incomplete project that has clearly seen some work in the past judging from the color of the gold plating, but I think you're onto a very nice start for $125. For perspective, just the motor is worth more.

Cheers!

Garret

[Josh_boro20]

The data plate says victor 6 rather than vi. Correct me if I’m wrong this makes it an earlier version? Serial number 5561. Would this put it around 1904?

[Django]

As it sits, it’s worth at least $2,000.00. People are going to hate you. You did very well. That motor is very rare and they don’t get much nicer than a 6, (VI). What is missing is minor compared to hat you have. Nice find. I think that I hate you a little too.

I don’t believe that the motor is original to the machine. I don’t think that a Victor 6 ever had a “yielding turntable”, and yours has no rubber bumpers. Then motor may have come from a Victor/Pooley VTLA. Many older cabinet machines became parts diners for nice external horn machines. Someone with more knowledge may correct me on this, (I am far from an expert, just a collector).

[Jerry B.]

$125 was a fabulous purchase. When complete your Victor 6 will be worth quite a bit. An early machine has options for the horn but most are expensive. Your choices:

1 - A black paper mache Victor horn. I believe these were made in Japan. The war between Japan and Russia in 1904/5 interrupted the production and delivery of these horns.

2 - A large steel bodied horn with a brass belled horn was temporarily provided for the Victor 6. The steel body was given a faux mahogany wood grained finish. I have only seen this horn in George Paul and Tim Fabrizio's wonderful book and it is super rare. But... You could purchase the next to the largest black & brass (black painted steel body with brass bell) horn and have it mahogany wood grained. In my opinion it would be a shame to take a horn with nice black paint and Victor decal and strip off the paint. But there's got to be a straight horn with a good brass bell that could be wood grained. In my opinion this would be an interesting option for your machine at a somewhat modest cost.

3 - The Victor 24B horn would be correct on a Victor 6/VI but it is expensive. The 24B is an all brass Victor Flower horn that is not frequently seen.

4 - A large Victor mahogany spear point horn would be correct. This horn is available as a reproduction for around $1000 and I would expect to spend around $1500 for a nice original.

The above are your Victor options but a really nice large aftermarket horn would be an interesting and affordable option.

Jerry B.

[Josh_boro20]

Thank you everyone for you replies and information, this is all very helpful. I want to get it back to it’s former glory. The motor is Nickel plated at least to my knowledge. I believe that would be correct. I need a horn, a crank and crank Escutcheon. The motor looks to be complete. I could not resist this machine. Some parts will need re plating. The case is very nice upon further inspection. I think a mahogany spear point would be my preference for the machine. It has a victor exhibition reproducer.
-Joshua

[Josh_boro20]

This is the motor. Am I missing anything? One think I noticed on the crank gear, there is a bent nail holding it on. Does any one know of the part I need to replace this? Attached are photos of the gear.

[OrthoFan]

I don’t think that a Victor 6 ever had a “yielding turntable”....

The Victor 6 did have a yielding turntable -- viewtopic.php?t=51183&p=305130
(As is also noted in "Look for the Dog")

Here's some more info -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Victor%20VI.htm

Joshua, that's a FANTASTIC find for $125.00! As Django notes, you could probably sell it, as is, for about 2K. (Unfortunately, that's about the least that a fair-to-good condition mahogany replacement horn will cost. )

OrthoFan

[Josh_boro20]

I really would like to keep it and fix it up. I will need to send the Motor out to be adjusted. I believe the part that holds the horn to the horn arm is incorrect. It should be good and not nickel?

[JerryVan]

I really would like to keep it and fix it up. I will need to send the Motor out to be adjusted. I believe the part that holds the horn to the horn arm is incorrect. It should be good and not nickel?

Why do you think the motor needs to be "adjusted"?

The horn elbow should be gold plated, as you mentioned.