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Hi there,

This may seem like a stupid question, but how does the key actually lock the lid on a Victrola? My key turns, sliding the rectangular "plunger" up into the mating slot in the lid. But the lid swings up to open, so it's not latching it, or keeping it from opening. A typical lock of that style engages perpendicular to the motion of the door, keeping it from opening, but this moves the lock in the same direction as it opens....so does nothing! Am I missing something?

Most lid locks operate by having two wings that come out and hook over either side of the slot in the striker plate so the lid cant be lifted.
You may have to dismantle & clean the lock, or the spring mechanism that triggers the wings might be broken.
Also if the key isn't original to the machine, it could be missing the wing activation mechanism altogether.

First of all, I don't know what an "E key" is---unless you're referring to a musical instrument, not a phonograph. Second, just what g'shane said. Although his photo shows an Edison, the lock on my XI looks and works essentially the same way, and I assume on your Victor as well.

"E" key makes me think it's an Edison DD & not a Victor Victrola?

I'm also thinking that it's possible that at some stage, the lid lock may have been replaced with a door lock, so it may not have the wings present.

gramophoneshane wrote:"E" key makes me think it's an Edison DD & not a Victor Victrola?

I'm also thinking that it's possible that at some stage, the lid lock may have been replaced with a door lock, so it may not have the wings present.

Check out this cabinet key reference:

http://www.oldcrank.com/articles/keys/keys.html

Seems the "E" key was end of a progression of key types used by Edison with the DD machine line, probably machines made in the '20s and probably the higher end machines.

John

Yep. that's the one I was thinking of. It's the only one I know of as an E key, whereas Victrola seems to be a more generic term to some.

Some cheaper cabinet locks operate with a L-shaped hook. The Hook looks like a flush bar when retracted but when you turn the key it moves out and then to the side so the hook catches the plate on the other piece.

gramophoneshane wrote:Most lid locks operate by having two wings that come out and hook over either side of the slot in the striker plate so the lid cant be lifted.
You may have to dismantle & clean the lock, or the spring mechanism that triggers the wings might be broken.
Also if the key isn't original to the machine, it could be missing the wing activation mechanism altogether.

Or, the lock mechanism is working as shown in the picture and the mating plate that is in the lid is missing.

Thanks everyone, sorry about my misuse of the term "E-key". This is the key I have, taken from the link above.

"Nickel plated "new" style Victrola, part number 1465PF. Probably available in this finish as of September 1910."

Could it be that there are two for these machines? This key fully engages the bars in the two lower doors, but only moves the lid bar up enough to see the wings tucked inside, but no further. Did any of these use two different keys?

I just took a look at it, and the wings aren't engaging. I see them tucked into the latch, so either it's sticky, or the key isn't doing what it's supposed to do. I'm hesitatant about going too far in taking it apart, I tried gently removing the little latch plate, but the brass plate is bending when I'm trying to pry it out. I'll leave it alone for now. BTW, I have a VV-300, an old family piece, in so-so shape. Works great, but the cabinet has it's share of scratches. I believe it's a four spring, makes an occassional big clunk as it's playing, maybe the springs need lubricating. I'm new to this forum, so I'll spend some time reading up on everything.

Here's a pic of it, along with my VV-IX: