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In the third & fourth photos, you can see the screws holding the grille in. I don't think they are particularly old, since they are Phillips heads. Perhaps the slats were missing, and the previous owner put the grille in to cover that?

-Bill

There is a shine on the photo on one screw from the light, but there are no Philips screws, it's not something I'd missed.
Unsolved mystery for now it is then, maybe a look at models for sale in Europe in the future could yield something, in the meantime the most plausible explanation I think is Jerrys.
I'll stick with his route anyhow - I think it looks fine and its a part of the machine's ancient history.
That's the down side of auctions (this machine), the history link is broken

The grill is definitely a later addition, whether done in the 20s, 30s or 80s. That machine would have never left the factory that way. Otherwise, it’s a great looking Victrola... I never mind some alligatoring in the finish, it typically means it’s original. The missing motor board screws should be easy enough to replace. And the motor board should only have one knob, not two, for lifting.

brianu wrote:The grill is definitely a later addition, whether done in the 20s, 30s or 80s. That machine would have never left the factory that way. Otherwise, it’s a great looking Victrola... I never mind some alligatoring in the finish, it typically means it’s original. The missing motor board screws should be easy enough to replace. And the motor board should only have one knob, not two, for lifting.

Yes, most likely. I had another go, with more light. As you can see from the second photo the rim of the cabinet leaves no other possibility to remove the grill other than lifting the wooden part of the horn. This is nailed shut and the nails are covered with alligatored shellack and lastly you see the screw which is not a Philips head (3). I would most probably do more damage than good opening it.
Thanks for the tip on the knob, I'm lucky it was still there

I believe the entire horn, including the cast portion and the wood slats, is removed out the back. Removing the tone arm with its base should reveal screws that hold the cast portion of the horn. When those screws are removed the entire horn should slide out the back.

Jerry

That makes sense! I was on that trail, trying to get the back panel off, but it needs some careful rubber hammering and time, I'll get back with discoveries when I have time to give it a proper all around maintenance.
Thanks for your thoughts and take care everyone!

snallast wrote:That makes sense! I was on that trail, trying to get the back panel off, but it needs some careful rubber hammering and time, I'll get back with discoveries when I have time to give it a proper all around maintenance.
Thanks for your thoughts and take care everyone!

I’ve had similar issues with these serpentine style cabinets... in humid environments, the wood swells and makes it difficult to lift motor boards or remove those back panels, among other things. If you’re not able to remove the back panel by hand or with light rubber mallet hammering from inside, you may consider just letting it sit for a while - a couple weeks or more - in a very dry place... indoor heating during colder months should take care of reducing that swelling.

The reason your tone arm wobbles is that the tone arm support is broken and has been repaired. These often break when moving the machine, which is why you should always remove the tone arm and support when moving one. They are made of pot metal. You will need to find replacement for it, which shouldn't be hard. I don't think I have one, but if I do, I'll give it to you.

They are made of pot metal.

I always thought the traditional Victrolas had a cast iron tone arm mount and pot metal came with the Orthophonic series.

Jerry B.

If you enlarge the photo of the close-up of the tonearm bracket, you can see some hex nuts, sign of an obvious repair. The bracket appears to have been damaged and repaired.