The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Best part was, I wasn't even looking for it. Headed to an auction about 20 miles from work when I got off yesterday, figure I'd see some folks I haven't seen in a while, and lo and behold, right out in the front lawn was this XVI. Surprisingly good finish, it wound up fully, and was 100% there, save for the crank escutcheon. Needless to say, I brought it home. These photos are before I cleaned it up, but you get an idea. It was made on May 1, 1912, if the sticker is correct.




Related question, the lock on this model is stuck "up", and my existing Victor key will go in, but not make the full turn to unlock it. It'll go about halfway around, and stick. Were there multiple variants of the Victor key, or is something else here potentially the issue? Any way to get it to unlock without the key?


Also, I'm assuming this once had a gold plated turntable, which has been replaced. Will any work, or since this is an earlier machine, do I need a specific one?

Even though the brake rubs on the inside of the turntable, I think the edge on your machine should be nickel plated. I'd try some good oil and I bet you can get the lock to retract all the way. Nice Victrola! Jerry

Hi Jerry, I guess it could have just been cost cutting or something,I just found it odd that that's the only nickel piece of hardware on the machine. That and the felt is sort of a blue-ish green. It doesn't show any signs of fading, so if it is original, it just adds to it all.

The lock does retract a bit, and the "teeth" on each side will retract, but I can't get the key to turn the rest of the way, allowing the housing to drop down flush with the top that screws into the wood.

This is a pretty early example of a post-"L-door" machine. I think mine is the next model after this one. The edge of the turntable, as Jerry says is correct in Nickel. This was made right after the Victor company replaced the bullet brake which would bear against the Nickel edge. (Gold plate would have been too fragile.) I imagine that this was a way of using up older stock. Anyway, mine, too has the Nickel edged turntable. Very nice XVI!

- Martin

Congrats! Nice XVI. They are good machines. I really like mine.

Clay

This one looks exactly like my early XVI from 1912. The key is the same as that for other models (just gold). Soak it in oil over night and you should be good to go on the lock. My turntable is nickel plated with original felt as well.
Matt

I have the exact same machine. Nickel platter and single knob on the motor board, too.

I concur with everyone else, they're great machines, congratulations!

Out of curiousity, what is the dealer's name?

Went on ahead and cleaned up the gold plating and wood with some steel wool and GoJo, and here is the final result, not bad for 102.

Out of curiosity, is there anyone who does gold plating? I will likely keep this original as it sits, but I may think about plating the tab brake, and crank/knobs, as they aren't quite up to par. Plus, A couple other machines that would look flawless (my XVII, for example) with replated external hardware.




The dealer tag is the "Aeolian Company", out of Cincinnati, OH. No dealer photo of these folks yet, on victor-victrola.com.

fran, matt, would either of you mind snapping a photo of the side of yours? Mine is missing a crank escutcheon, and I need to know what kind I need to purchase to replace it. Thanks!

SignatureSeriesOwner wrote: fran, matt, would either of you mind snapping a photo of the side of yours? Mine is missing a crank escutcheon, and I need to know what kind I need to purchase to replace it. Thanks!

Unfortunately, mine is missing, as well as the crank. Member, Ripduf1 (John Duffy) did have an escutcheon for sale that he offered me, but I declined as I need the crank, too. PM him and see if he still has it.

Fran

Very nice machine ! I found a nice 1909 L-door when I wasn't looking for one about 10 years ago.


In regards to "using-up old hardware", I find this machine interesting in that it has the same large-knob/ round-dial speed control as my 1909, but in the opposite corner (front right), and the bullet-brake at the front-left corner, and your machine still has the early taper-tube & gooseneck, where the sound-box rests on top of the tube...

Did yours come with any record folios ?