jboger wrote:Too bad. I have Victor III parts and the opportunity to buy a Victor II sans tonearm and horn elbow. I don't know. It seems chasing after missing parts is a tale that has no end because the missing parts are seldom or never found. And if you do, the cost is far greater than if one simply bought the machine complete. Oh well.
I hear you. I've been looking for a VIC O horn and elbow, 1 horn popped up and an elbow (wrong size), but I'm not going to mortgage my home to buy these pieces if they appear..... Bill K
Victor II. 166,966 (includes sales figures for all Victor E machines - perhaps 40,000)
Victor III. 164,701 (includes all sales figures for all Victor M machines - perhaps 60,000)
Victor I. 116,318 ((includes all sales figures for all Victor R and Victor Z machines ( about 21,600 R's and how many Z's??? let's saw 5,000)
Victor V. 68,582 (includes all sales figures for all Victor D machines - perhaps 17,000)
Victor IV. 54,672 (includes all sales figures for all Victor MS machines - perhaps 21,600)
Victor VI. 17,468
Figures are from Baumbach's Victor Data Book
If you subtract all the "lettered" Victors like the E, M, etc. and add in the production numbers for the Victor Junior and Victor O which were made during most of the numbered Victors (I through VI) the list would be as follows:
Victor II - 126,966
Victor III - 104,701
Victor I - 90,318
Victor V - 51,582
Victor O - 50,431
Victor IV - 33,072
Victor VI - 17,468
Victor Junior - 15,883
I'll always wish that Bob Baumbach had early company sales records which would make it possible to differentiate between the lettered Victors and the numbered Victors. I'll always think of a Victor E and a Victor II as completely different models. Yes, the Victor II filled the same position in the Victor lineup as the Victor E but they are two distinct models. There is almost nothing in common between the two models. But Bambauch's Victor Data Book is an excellent resource and I'm thankful we have it. (And everyone should own a copy.)
With that said the above sales numbers of Victor numbered machines are this phono nerd's best estimate based on the numbers inThe Data Book.
The machine is mine; I pick it up tomorrow. I had hoped to go to the evening auction yesterday but circumstances prevented me from doing that. Four hours before the start of the auction I decided to call the auctioneer. No answer, so I left my name and telephone number. He called me back. I do not know this auctioneer. I asked him if it were still possible to leave an absentee bid. The answer was yes, and all he needed was my name and phone number. Later that evening I got a call that I had gotten the item. The auction was a local one in a rural area. He had cleaned out a house. Would Christie's do this? I don't think so. Not the first time something like this has happened. I'm glad there are still people like him in this world. So tomorrow I go pick it up.
It's a Victor I with the serial number 1519A. The motor bedplate is square, not the usual rectangular shape. However, it is theoriginal motor as there is a diagram of the motor pasted to the inside of the case. That diagram is of the same motor that is in the case and indicates the points to oil. The diagram also indicates that this is a Victor I. It does not take a slip-in elbow. The clip for the horn elbow is present. I have an early Victor I. I tried substituting the tone arm; it does not fit. This Victor I takes a larger tone arm than the early Victor I. There areother things.
No, not a ten-inch platter, but an eight-incher. The position of the bullet brake has never been disturbed. It's set for an eight-inch turntable, which is what came with the phonograph. I will take some photos later. Two corners had separated and I've got the case clamped together, so right now can't see much. It's a well-made case.
There is a digram of the motor with oiling points pasted to the inside. This label states that this is a Victor I. The diagram is of the motor that came with the machine so the motor is original to the case. The Victor plate also states that this is a Vic I with the serial number 1519 A. The crank is original.
I have a complete Victor I with a different motor. I also have a spare Victor I back bracket complete with the tone arm. This back bracket is smaller than the back bracket on the Victor I under discussion, the "new" one. The new one came with no tonearm. However, the tonearm I do have is not interchangeable with this larger back bracket; it's too small. Perhaps the large back bracket is not original. If so, I have the correct replacement parts.
And some picture. This is what I bought, although cleaned up a bit. It has the back bracket that came with the machine. Next post will be of the motor.
Contrary to any reports that differ, Victor I's can be found with at least two different motors. Here are two pics of the motor and one of the label. Unfortunately, they're dark. The motor's bedplate is square, unlike the other Victor I that I have. Also, this motor is superior. The next post will be a comparison of two Victor I back brackets, this "new" one plus an early one.
Here is a photo of an early Victor I back bracket complete with tone arm along with the so-called "new" back bracket. The "new' back bracket is larger. In fact it is the same size as a Victor III, which you can see at the top. However, the Victor III tonearm is too large both in length and diameter to fit my late Victor I bracket. The early Victor I bracket and tonearm are a good fit to the machine, with the needle nicely striking the central spindle. However, the tonearm is too small for the late bracket.I have no doubt that the late Victor I back bracket is original to this machine, so I'll need to wait it out for the right parts.
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Bill K