The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello Everyone! I purchased a Victor L-Door XVI serial number 49344 last year that I have some questions about. It has the correct gold tonearm, gold motor hold down screes and gold lid latch. However, everything else on it is Nickel Plated. The reproducer, Needle Container, turntable, speed control, on/off lever and crank are all Nickel Plated. Nothing has been altered on the cabinet; and everything fits and works fine. I am wondering if this was Factory or if someone replaced those components somewhere along the way. With my serial number (49344), can anyone tell me and post photographs of what the original hardware should be for mine? I know that there were stop lever and speed control variations over the years and am not a purist; would just like to get it back close to original as possible. It is in great condition and has all the original albums except the letter "H" one. I would be in the market for the correct gold hardware if necessary and a letter "H" album with the gold ring or a filler one with a plain ring. I got the phonograph for a great price and am now curious about what it will need to make it period correct and accurate. I already checked the Antique Phonograph site; and all it told me was that my speed control and on/off lever may be accurate; but might need to be gold. However, it did not provide any information or photos as to production date or the different variations of hardware. I am not a big Victrola fan; but always liked this model and am very happy to have found one. Feel Free to Message me or E-mail me at: [email protected]

I will welcome any advice that I can get from anyone more experienced with the machines than me.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

UPDATE: I was able to get the turntable off; and take some photos. Everything lines up and fits perfectly. No alterations to the motorboard. ; What do you guys thik? I'm very interested in hearing more opinions. By the way, there is a "D" after the serial number on my machine which means it would have either the bullet or lever brake and the round speed control? Should I leave as is or source correct parts? I don't have a lot into it; so I could afford to make it historically correct.

The turntable platter should be nickel. Thats is it. Here is a posting from Cliff with some excellent pictures of the components you are referring to.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35408

John

And a link showing a lever brake instead of the bullet. The lever appeared on late models.

https://oldcrank.com/collection/Victrol ... v-xvi.html

Brad Abell

outune wrote:And a link showing a lever brake instead of the bullet. The lever appeared on late models.

https://oldcrank.com/collection/Victrol ... v-xvi.html

Brad Abell

Thank, Brad!

I just added a photo of the layout of my machine. I think mine is too late to have the bullet brake; but the photo of the setup in these photos would be satisfactory to me.

I think a picture of the top of the motor board with the turn table removed and a picture of the motor would tell the story. I am sure it did not leave the factory with that speed controls. Even the motor board pull is in Nickel and would have been Gold.

Skihawx wrote:I think a picture of the top of the motor board with the turn table removed and a picture of the motor would tell the story. I am sure it did not leave the factory with that speed controls. Even the motor board pull is in Nickel and would have been Gold.

Thanks! I uploaded photos of the entire machine for illustration and to show the cabinet has not been altered. The turntable is stuck. Will try to get a photo once I can get it loose.

I think that your machine may have been re-motored. I believe that all L-door Victrolas have female cranks and round speed controls, (your crank looks like a later, male type). The good news is that it looks like they didn’t add a second hole for the crank.

Seems like the got a motor that lined up exactly. If your machine has been re motored unfortunately the original motor is pretty expensive and can be hard to track down.

If I’m not mistaken that is a later male crank. The original crank, I think would have been a female type in gold finish.

Wes

Here is my L Door 16. I purchased it close to 40 years ago in the early 80s. This, to date is the only Oak one I’ve come across.
Check out the original brake and light. This is exactly how I got it and how it sits today.