Butchered Victor IV

[JeffR1]

There are so many holes that I think I will replace the panels and molding where necessary.
I have no idea what the brass mounts are on the crank side, but they sure don't like Victor put them there.
Someone drilled holes on all four corners to hold it down _ what a thing to do !
There was even a notch carved out on one of the corners to get it to fit some place, don't know about that though, but it's not a chip.
The tricky part is finding the correct mahogany. we'll see.

The back bracket mount was even moved to the opposite side of the crank, and has been that way for many years, the original mount area shows complete oxidization of the finish like on the rest of the machine.

One thing that I need help with is the threaded spindle, even with out the hold down clamp, there is nothing there to centre the record, what's happened here ?
It doesn't look like someone butchered the spindle, someone would have had to physically remove the spindle, put it in a lathe and turn the spindle down to take away the ability to centre the record _ really ?
Ay any rate, it has to come apart, the spindle is bent just enough to produce a "wobble" on the turn table.

Thanks for looking, hope someone can help me with the spindle problem.

[phonogal]

Could this have been mounted in some sort of cabinet at one time and modified to fit? I can't imagine why someone would have made those changes otherwise.

[Curt A]

The back mount was moved (apparently), so it wasn't necessary to reach around the horn to crank it...

[JeffR1]

Thanks guys,
Modified to fit, I suppose so, but if that were so, the other hole on the crank side doesn't really line up with any other Victor motor, or at least I don't think so.
Having looked at many other photos, I have never seen a crank hole in that position, they are more forward then that.

What about the spindle, how come there is nothing on it to centre the record ?
I can make a threaded piece on the lathe to centre the record and forget about the hold down clamp, but I would really like to find out what's going on here.

Here are some photo that were sent to me as to what was supposed to be in there, but I have seen spindles that are made for a record clamp that do not have the odd flying saucer shaped support below the platter.

[Inigo]

What a story! The spindle must have been modified at some point to hold a different turntable. And the strange crank hole tells that at any time the machine carried a different motor too...! Maybe a former owner experimented with the machine, then done other tried to revert it to the original... There aren't no holes to support another motor though... Very strange!

[ChesterCheetah18]

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will respond, but it looks like the motor used Victor's "yielding" turntable. It didn't use a hold down per-se. The threaded cap kept the turntable tight, while centering the record. I've attached some photos of my VV-XIV (Type M) that uses that setup.
One plus. It looks like it included a Victor O soundbox. Not correct for the machine, but a not so easy to find one.

Steve

[Curt A]

Something rectangular was mounted below the molding on the crank side and I don't think the large extra hole was a crank hole. The two brass discs look familiar from some where - maybe threaded fasteners for a carrying handle or something. The screw holes on each corner suggest that this was screwed down to a cabinet, table, bar or something - maybe to prevent it from being moved or stolen... Who knows? It would be interesting to discover its true history. Maybe it was used in a speakeasy...

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[JeffR1]

Steve, that makes sense now, I may just leave it the way it is, and make a "centre" thread on bit for the turn table. I'll have a look around and see if I can find the correct bit's, but I don't think the turntables are too common, at least I've never seen them on eBay.
Could you take a photo of the turntable on your VV-XIV (Type M) so I have some sort of reference when I start hunting, that would be very helpful ?
According to this, the reproducer could be correct, it was used for a few months before going to the standard Exhibition reproducer. (scroll to the bottom of the link)

http://www.victor-victrola.com/Soundboxes.htm

Curt, I like your explanation of a handle mount and speak-easy !

[outune]

Hi- Re: the reproducer-- It was used on the "O" and some early "VICTROLA IV's" - inside horn machines.. You have a Victor IV, outside horn machine-- That reproducer would not have been supplied with a Victor IV to my knowledge-- but as others have said, it's a desirable reproducer that has a greater value than an Exhibition.

Brad Abell

[JeffR1]

Hi- Re: the reproducer-- It was used on the "O" and some early "VICTROLA IV's" - inside horn machines.. You have a Victor IV, outside horn machine-- That reproducer would not have been supplied with a Victor IV to my knowledge-- but as others have said, it's a desirable reproducer that has a greater value than an Exhibition.

Brad Abell

Didn't know there was a Victor IV inside horn machine, the link doesn't say, thanks.
That's why I'm here.
If I sell the machine once I get it restored, I think I'll keep it with the machine.

EDIT:
Victrola IV, my mistake.
At any rate, it staying with the machine.