Orthophonic reproducer question

[coyote]

I noticed this Credenza on eBay (eBay Item #130476944058)
I was curious about the reproducer, not knowing a whole lot about the history of Victor products. The Orthophonics I own have what I presume is a later reproducer where the metal face does not curve around the back to the extent of this one. Does anyone have handy a brief overview of the changes to the Orthophonic reproducer (even off the top of your head)? Thanks!

[Henry]

This is an early two-door Credenza and very likely has the highly desirable brass sound box (see an example here: http://tinyurl.com/4jfphnp ). It'll be interesting to see what the reserve is. General info about the Credenza is here: http://www.victor-victrola.com/8-1.htm . If I lived anywhere near there I'd probably be pursuing this one!

[coyote]

I suspected it was an earlier brass one. While I checked out the VV page as I often do, there aren't details that encompass all models (like the logo change to the more ornate one). I guess I'll finally pick up a copy of Look For the Dog.

[Victrolaman]

Just send the guy a message on ebay, ask him does the front face of it have 7 tear dropped shaped holes or 9?
if he saus 7 then its brass, if he says 9 its potmetal.
Just because its a early machine doesnt mean it has a Brass reproducer and in my years of collecting i found out the hard way a few times.
I own 2 Brass ones, they are very hard to find and if you do find one be prepaired to pay $$$$ for it.
But chances are if its all original and nobody has got there hands on it, it may very well be Brass. Just send the guy a note and ask him how mahy holes it has, also another way to tell is the words on the back Victor Orthophonic, are they stamped or raised? if they are stamped then its Brass raised potmetal.
Pot metal ones are good to as long as they are not cracked or swelled up, those most of the time can never be restored, but a Brass one can and will last a long time

One of the brass ones i have has been restored and the other is all original and plays just a loud and clear as can be.
If you are local and its Brass, buy it!
Because in 13 years of collection and restoring these machines i only came accross 2 and i still have them

[frenchmarky]

The photo in this post and the brass one on ebay both look like they have a much thicker rear lip (or rim, of the back of the main gold housing). All the pot metal ones I have don't really have a lip, or they are just a lot thinner looking than these pics. You know, where they usually develop cracks from the swelling. Am I in error in this distinction or (?)

[estott]

That's not a lip- the back of the reproducer is held into the body by a threaded ring- it appears someone cleaned the finish off this ring or perhaps polished it: they have been seen in both brass and pot metal.