The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here are some photos from a very early Victrola IX. The serial number is around 23,xxx. What am I looking at? I've seen early Victrolas that utilized a variation of the common Vic III type motor but nothing like this. Thanks for your comments.

Are the extra pieces factory made for a particular repair? Jerry

Jerry,

I also have an early Victrola IX with this same addition, and a few years ago researched the mystery of the added pieces. I don't recall my source, but I learned this was used during shipping to provide additional support for the motor. It does not obstruct operation, but was to be removed upon delivery. If I can locate the source of this information, I'll send you a copy.

Thanks,
David

Those steel bands would be capable of withstanding tremendous pressure. It looks like something perhaps the factory installed to straighten a warped casting that the dealer was supposed to remove upon arrival and neglected to do so. I have also seen a couple of Victor motors of this basic type -- one in a Vic III -- over the years that have the outside spring support stanchion broken for no apparent reason. Perhaps this type of motor was susceptible to breakage in shipping due to design or perhaps even a bad batch of cast iron, so the factory concocted this transport sling? Seems like major overkill, though, when wire could have kept everything together. That looks more like an adjustment device.