The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Top motor board looks like it's from an inside horn machine ?
Many other thing wrong with it.
Sure expensive for a cobbled together thing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/177168047658?_ ... R9SE7NDsZQ

He claims it's a V, not a VI. Maybe that's a revision. It's an interesting example of a very late outside horn Victor. But yes, the price is nuts... and it's missing a governor weight, apparently omitted by the expert motor rebuilder.

It is a correct late Victor V. However at first I thought it was an Oak machine refinished to look dark as Mahogany. Although from the photographs it is hard to tell for sure.

JerryVan wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:30 pm He claims it's a V, not a VI. Maybe that's a revision. It's an interesting example of a very late outside horn Victor. But yes, the price is nuts... and it's missing a governor weight, apparently omitted by the expert motor rebuilder.

I can see 3 weights.
For a late Victor 5, it still has the slide in type elbow ???
And what about the reproducer, should it not be an Exhibition Reproducer ?

I'm far from the most knowledgeable, but nothing about the speed control looks right to me. Why would it have the pointer type speed indicator attached to the motor but not used?

Steve

I'm not an expert on the later model horn machines, but according to Bob Baumbach's Data Book, everything about the machine is correct including the speed control. Late V's were available in Mahogany and these are quite rare and sought after.

Some interesting points on the machine
(1) based on the Victor-Victrola database, this machine is one of the last Vic V ever made, 60,316 is the highest in the database. At the same time, Bob's book say the lowest number for the type E five is 59350. This one is 59076 meaning it might be earliest known E variation.
(2) The speed control is connected. It is missing its pointer and the plastic speed control indicator that goes in the metal frame. These are very easy to find and fit on most Victors. I had to do this on my two spring School House, I can't see this being any different.

The price is high, but the person buying it would own one of the last Vic V ever made and it's in mahogany. As the seller says, make an offer. I would be interested if I wasn't saving for a Vic A (any one have one to sell? )

George P might have some thoughts since this model appears in his and Tim's book I believe.

I love the strange history of Victor machines!

Michael

A completely genuine and original machine but the finish on the case and horn is absolutely awful. Its a project machine and not worth the asking price, even if it is quite uncommon.

JeffR1 wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:48 pm And what about the reproducer, should it not be an Exhibition Reproducer ?

The first picture shows an Exhibition fitted, but the others show a Victrola No.2.
The listing states Exhibition, but the pictures are misleading and need amending.

On a slightly different note… I’d be suspicious of the listing in general. Brand-new eBay seller as of June 2025. No feedback whatsoever. The text used to describe the machine is all AI. One to dodge I’d say!

JeffR1 wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:48 pm ... And what about the reproducer, should it not be an Exhibition Reproducer ?

Yes, it's definitely one of the rare late production mahogany V-V models, as mention here -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Victor%20V.htm

According to the "Victor Data Book" by Robert Baumbach, the late V-V models were equipped with the #2 sound box. Also, according to an illustration provided, the brake stop post attached to the tonearm is also correct.

As for the finish, it looks to have been redone at some point. There was a post on this forum a few years ago that discussed the restoration of a mahogany V-V -- viewtopic.php?t=46183 -- but as usual, all of the attached images are gone. This one -- viewtopic.php?t=51840 -- however, does show the finish in its original (as found) state, though it looks like an earlier model (?!?)

I can't tell if it was coated with a polly varnish or shellac. It seems to me, though, that a careful refinishing job might make it look more original, providing the original stain and grain filler is still in place. I'd image it matched the "piano gloss" mahogany finish of the standard tabletop and upright Victrolas of the period.

(Steve, I agree that the $6,000 asking price is a "tad optimistic.")