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Looks like a nice 1B in Oak

http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/aucti ... chRadius=0

Just wondering how to tell the difference between a I A and I B in photos.
I know that the early A's had the lyre grill and that the I B was 4-min. only, but were the cases different?
Was the oak B available in gun metal?
Is the one being auctioned gun metal?
Thanks,
Gene

Actually, that's a 1A.

George P.

"Just wondering how to tell the difference between a I A and I B in photos."

The easiest way to tell from the front is that the Amberola 1A has a single vertically-operated lever over the center gear cover, and that's all the levers it has. An Amberola 1B has the same vertically operated lever, but also has a motor-start lever to its left. Also, the 1B has a much larger left-hand gear cover, because this gear cover also covers the top works-mounted governor. With these rather small photos, that last feature is easier to notice if you already know what you were looking for.

Best wishes, Mark

Thanks Mark!
From the small photos, can you tell if the finish is gun metal?
Gene

"From the small photos, can you tell if the finish is gun metal?"

I don't think so, but I can't be sure. That's why only responded to one of your questions!

I have a dark oak Amberola 1-A with a gun metal deck. I also have a golden oak 1-B with a brown deck similar in color to an oak Opera. Both Amberolas have matching numbers in which the cabinet serial number matches the number on the mechanism. I don't know if all oak 1-B's have brown decks but mine does. Jerry

From the small photo, that 1A appears to have a gun metal mechanism.

George P.