The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently aquired this 1922 (serial #58408) front-wind VV-50 and was suprised that it has a needle holder more commonly seen on the later side-wind version.

When were the needle holders added to the VV-50s? If that was done when the crank position was changed then perhaps unsold front-wind VV-50s were updated in order to sell them off easiely? Were these needle holders sold seperately as an 'upgrade' to those who already had a VV-50?

I have only seen two front-wind VV-50s with the needle cup, both had serial numbers in the 50000s.

That's interesting. My guess is that this VV 50 is a transitional machine. I noticed the reflex horn on this machine is oak. On the front crank machines that I have seen, the horns are cast metal.
Harvey Kravitz

Wow, yes- I didn’t notice the reflex horn until you mentioned it. I wonder when those changes took place, what serial # range?

This phonograph was sold by ‘His Masters Voice-Limited’ in Canada, I wonder if the Canadian VV-50s were updated first?

Player-Tone wrote:Wow, yes- I didn’t notice the reflex horn until you mentioned it. I wonder when those changes took place, what serial # range?

This phonograph was sold by ‘His Masters Voice-Limited’ in Canada, I wonder if the Canadian VV-50s were updated first?

There is a great thread regarding the slight differences in US and Canadian made Victor machine's. I may be wrong but, I thought you were involved in that thread??. There was also a question of serial numbers. Check it out.

Yes, that is a great thread–no specific info on the VV-50 however. Has the serial number question been answered yet? I wonder if this VV-50 was actually made after 1922.

Player-Tone wrote:Yes, that is a great thread–no specific info on the VV-50 however. Has the serial number question been answered yet? I wonder if this VV-50 was actually made after 1922.

No. I don't think it we will ever know for sure regarding the numbers. All the Canadian sales records & files were tossed when RCA took over up here. Sorry, I don't think I was very clear in my last post. What I'm trying to say is....you can't go by the dates and info that pertains to US models,etc...What was being done there was not necessarily followed up here. Berliner (in Canada) seemed to go the extra mile up here on some things. Because there is little info left....your best bet is to go though period Canadian ads (if you can locate any). Best of luck... .

Does anyone have a front wind VV-50 with full cast horn and a serial number after 58408?

I have one, serial number 69407, front wind with cast horn, no needle cups.
Bob

Ok, Thanks.

I wonder how long this transition took place, anybody see other VV-50s like this? If you have, what was the serial number?

-Perhaps HMV Canada never switched the crank location and just kept making it this way, or maybe finished front-crank cases were shipped to Canada after 1922?