Victor IV

[howardpgh]

How old might my Victor IV be? The machine is pictured in my avator.
Plate says Vic IV 21022. Has round speed regulator and "bullet" brake, slip on slotted crank.
I look at the Victrola site, but it gives a wide range of dates for this machine, it seems to have been made for a long time, even though there appears to be 33,000 made. I was wondering if the information has gotten more specific since the site was put up. I entered the pertinent info in the data base form on that site.
What is the correct horn for this machine, I have a Morning Glory that looks nice on it, just curious?

[phonogfp]

According to The Victor Data Book, your machine was manufactured between 1905 (No.13077) and 1912 (No.46299). I'd guess yours dates from 1907/08.

George P.

[Jerry B.]

The Victor MS was advertised as "Victor the Forth". The MS evolved into the Victor IV like yours. If your Vic IV takes a slotted crank it is fairly early for that style machine. I checked Baumbach's excellent book, "The Victor Data Book", and it says your style of Vic IV was first shipped March 2nd, 1905. It also says it has female threaded crank. Not to worry, I've seen other early examples of the Victor horn machines with slotted cranks. The book also states the lowest serial number is 13077 and the highest is 46299. I would estimate your machine was shipped during 1906 or 1907.. Your machine may have originally come with either a black & brass (black body with brass bell) horn or the black flowered horn in your photo.
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For what it's worth... If you consider the machines offered when your machine was new and consider Victors I through VI, the most common was the Vic II, followed by the Vic III, Vic I, Vic V, Vic IV, and the Vic VI which was the least common. So your machine is reasonably uncommon. My Vic IV has always been one of my favorite machines. You have a very nice machine. Jerry Blais

[gramophone78]

Just to add to Jerry's post....the Vic. IV could also come (at extra cost) with either mahogany horn. Small smooth (scarce) or the larger "spear point" horn.