Mahogany L-Door Help

[mattrx]

This past weekend I picked up a Mahogany L-Door XVI. The machine was almost complete. Only missing the key, brake, and albums. Reproducer, crank, motor, etc were all present. The finish is the worst I have seen thus far. The finish looks almost blistered in addition to being alligatored. Interestingly, I put a reproducer of mine on it and it played a record rather well with no adjustment whatsoever, no motor rumble, no broken springs-quite happy about this.

Here is my problem at the moment: I need to find a correct brake for this model. My VTLA uses a bullet brake, this one does not. It has 3 holes in the motor board where I think the brake would be. Two very close together (¼ inch apart) and another about 1 inch away from the other two. Can any of you show me a picture of the correct brake? Victor Data Book says it takes friction brake #1918-but does not give a photo or drawing. The friction brakes I have to not fit.

There is a hole in the back left side of the motor board that might have had a motor board pull knob at one time. Should there be one in that position?

I asked a question of a couple of members about the DM suffix behind the serial number. Have any of you seen this before? Would it mean "Demonstration Model" perhaps? Also interesting to me is the tag where the machine was sold (The Aeolian Co) as well as the "Second Hand Victrola" License.

[De Soto Frank]

This looks like a -B or -C series L-door.

Will check my 1909-10 -C over -B re-stamp in the morning regarding the bullet-brake.

[zenith82]

I don't have anything to add about the bullet brake, but I have to say, it's interesting that it was originally sold by an Aeolian dealer (before Aeolian had their own machines). I agree with Frank - this looks like a later L-door, probably 1910 or 1911.

I've seen worse finishes! The one side looks like there's blush under the shellac, almost like it spent a lot of time in a humid environment.

[Phonolair]

If you look at your motor board closely you can see the out line of the old brake. I have seen these brakes before but do not have one at this time to take a picture of. It is mounted with two screws so I suspect that one of your holes stripped out and the brake was moved slightly and reattached. The plate that this brake mounts with is roughly a couple inches square, and not the normal small friction brake we all see and would not be a bullet brake.
If everyone checks their model C & D L door machines there should be a picture of it available.

Best Regards, Larry

[rgordon939]

Based on the serial number this machine is a "D" and is from 1912.

Rich Gordon

[FloridaClay]

Suggest giving George Vollema a try for the missing brake.

Clay

[chem_jv]

Great machine, I love seeing Saint Louis history. I am a lifelong native of the city/county. I have two in my collection that have lived here their entire life: A 1918 VV-X sold by Famous and Barr and a 1923 VV-111 sold by Stix,Baer and Fuller.

[mattrx]

Great machine, I love seeing Saint Louis history. I am a lifelong native of the city/county. I have two in my collection that have lived here their entire life: A 1918 VV-X sold by Famous and Barr and a 1923 VV-111 sold by Stix,Baer and Fuller.

We Loved what little we got to see of the city. There were 3 collectors within a very short span in Western St Louis. And Beautiful Homes, to boot. It was a LONG but very enjoyable day. We got a Pooley Cabinet, a Zonophone, a Vic V, and the L-Door XVI on that trip. Then, ate at Lambert's on the way home-excellent. I'm ready to make the same trip again!

[rizbone]

The brake looks like one I had on an early IX (http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... +IX#p53594). My L-door has what looks to be a later style knob on the motor board. There should also be a knob on the back door that matches the one on the pull-out drawer. I may have the speaker door knob. If you don't have both of them send me a message and I'll dive in the parts bin.

[mattrx]

Rizbone,
Thanks for posting, that looks to be exactly what I need. I found one in my parts bin in nickel, and it fits perfectly. The one I had came from a 1911 VV-VI. I still need a gold one, but at least I have a working brake now!
Thanks,
Matt