Victor No. Ten Sound Box

[phonogfp]

The discussion elsewhere on this forum about the sale of a Victor Ten sound box finally prompts me to post photos of something I've wondered about for years. (The thread alluded to above is here: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 14&t=26792)

Over 30 years ago, the original Victor factory/office buildings in Camden NJ were being cleaned out by their corporate owners, and a variety of wonderful stuff turned up in dumpsters outside the plant. I was not one of the lucky dumpster-divers but fortunately, others were on the scene and a lot of things were saved. Shortly after this incident, I was fortunate to acquire an experimental Victor sound box similar to a Concert, but never put into production. The seller told me that it had been found in one of the notorious dumpsters.

I can't say for sure if this shell for a Victor No. Ten sound box was among these items, but it's likely. Those familiar with these sound boxes will notice that this shell was never drilled for assembly, nor does it show any trace of gold plating. What I find most puzzling is the odd L-shaped piece mounted at the 6:00 position . If this was an experimental model for some alternate design, what were they trying to accomplish? Applying tension to the diaphragm (like the Higham)? An adjustable diaphragm dampener? I'd be interested in ideas.

If other photos are needed of specific areas, I'll be pleased to provide them.

George P.

[gramophone78]

In an interesting item George. Other than the needle bar (see removed), the main body is identical to my No.10. I went so far as to compare the three (unique) HMV logo's around the body and found a match of all three.


The only other difference (as mentioned) was the lack of the three tiny tapped holes used to hold the main inner body in place.

Therefore, in my opinion, since we really can't substantiate for certain when the usually needle bar was added. I tend to think this was an unfinished shell that was never completed due to the soundboxes short production life.

[Phonolair]

The way the needle bar is mounted and the needle chuck look like a pretty normal setup for a Victor Concert reproducer.

On the other hand that bent heavy wide flat needle bar does not look normal. I only remember seeing round tapered needle bars.

I'm wondering if this needle bar was not straight originally and some how become bent and the tip broken off. With your picture enlarged it shows the tip of the needle bar slightly twisted and jagged as it may have had the tip broken off.

The off centered hole in the tip of the needle bar really looks out of place and like it was added later.

With out the holes drilled in the case it does point to an unfinished reproducer.

Just my observations, Larry Crandell

[gramophone78]

I just want to add, after examining the pics I have and the ones George has posted. The needle bar seems to fit the configuration of the correct bar. It can be observed that bar has been crudely flattened. Since the thickness of the flattened area is uneven, it leads me to think it was hammered. This hammering has also extended and deform the once tiny hole for the wire. In fact, the flattening was so extreme on the metal, the hole opened at one point.

The needle bar design used on a No.10 has a tapped, open top in order for a set screw to be placed, securing the wire to the bar (see attached).This open top could be easily crushed when hammered flat, causing the once fine point, to become an expanded flat end seen now. The bar is also crudely bent in a distorted manner (not a factory appearance).

The question is...providing my observations are correct....why would someone destroy the bar..??. Would Victor have done this in order to render this soundbox useless..??. It would have been simpler to have removed it. Or some past collector's attempt to..??? at a time these were of little value or interest.

Another observation I made was regarding the two needle bar screws. Their appearance is far too clean. Mine have a slight brownish patina to them and the same can be said regarding the spring.

Maybe someone else can shed light on this.

The real question is....should this very rare soundbox be completed..??.

Victor #10 Reproducer (4).JPG (288.23 KiB) Viewed 1104 times