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I'm not in the same place as dad's collection and parts machines right now, so I can't do this by sight. Is there an easy way to identify the type of machine from the serial number. I've got about 60, so I don't want to bother phonogfp if there's a systematic way to to it.

type marking serial number
amberola Mark 75 SM7851
amberola Type SM Model B1 4950
amberola Mark 50 SM2376
amberola V 1646
amberola Mark 50 SM16720
amberola VIII 2931
amberola 30 3751
amberola Mark 30 SM63612
amberola (parts)
amberola (parts)
amberola 30 347
amberola Mark 75 SM11075
cylinder H183432
cylinder 51197
cylinder Fireside Model A 66228
cylinder Standard 695668D
cylinder H204474
cylinder 307935
cylinder H58918
cylinder S55899
cylinder Triumph 67608
cylinder H199257
cylinder H104254
cylinder 30888
cylinder 474374
cylinder Standard 711754D
cylinder S123475
cylinder S372468
cylinder S256169
cylinder 729366
cylinder Model F Standard 792612
cylinder S138527
cylinder Model D Standard 647628
cylinder H3001
cylinder 511441
cylinder H115562
cylinder S344617
cylinder Triumph 86361
cylinder Triumph Model F 84647
cylinder Triumph 60179
cylinder Standard 715670D
cylinder Standard Model D 730832
cylinder GEM G21978
cylinder GEM G168160
cylinder H199717
cylinder H163423
cylinder H97345
cylinder 252933
cylinder H4650
cylinder H145712
cylinder H71058
cylinder H64472
cylinder 238691
disc Model C250 SM24286
victrola VVIX 266337G
victrola VV VI 174083F
victrola VV IVA 409144
victrola Vro II 5051A
victrola VV VI 254864F

Well, quite a few on your list actually tell you the model such as the VV-xxxx ones at the end for Victor Victrola which had models like VV-IV, VV-VI, VV-X, VV-XI etc . Those cylinders ones that have serial number beginning with H are likely Edison Homes, and the ones beginning with S are Edison Standards, and that likely shortens the length of your unknows. Most of your ones with Amberola tell you the model already.

Models and serial numbers are useful but supporting pictures are even more useful. And prices also if you're interested in selling any of these. Next time you're at your Dad's place bring along a camera if possible and when you get a chance please feel free to post some pictures here on the Forum in the Yankee Trader section. Your Dad had some decent phonographs by the looks of the listing.

Doug

I thought I posted a reply already but I don't see it. I need to get better educated before I try to sell anything. But I will post when things are for sale eventually, including pictures.

Couch Potato wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 4:36 pm Well, quite a few on your list actually tell you the model such as the VV-xxxx ones at the end for Victor Victrola which had models like VV-IV, VV-VI, VV-X, VV-XI etc . Those cylinders ones that have serial number beginning with H are likely Edison Homes, and the ones beginning with S are Edison Standards, and that likely shortens the length of your unknows. Most of your ones with Amberola tell you the model already.

For the Victrolas, I thought that was part of the serial number! For the H and S serials, is it a case of all Hxxxx and Sxxxx serials, is it true that they are all Homes and Standards? Or just probably? I know it's NOT the case that if it's a Home or Standard then the serial must be Hxxxx or Sxxxxx.

shopdoc wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 8:45 pm

Couch Potato wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 4:36 pm Well, quite a few on your list actually tell you the model such as the VV-xxxx ones at the end for Victor Victrola which had models like VV-IV, VV-VI, VV-X, VV-XI etc . Those cylinders ones that have serial number beginning with H are likely Edison Homes, and the ones beginning with S are Edison Standards, and that likely shortens the length of your unknows. Most of your ones with Amberola tell you the model already.

For the Victrolas, I thought that was part of the serial number! For the H and S serials, is it a case of all Hxxxx and Sxxxx serials, is it true that they are all Homes and Standards? Or just probably? I know it's NOT the case that if it's a Home or Standard then the serial must be Hxxxx or Sxxxxx.

To my knowledge, the words "Home" and "Standard" have nothing to do with any Victrola models. Edison machines are not "Victrolas". Maybe that's where the confusion enters in?

I was lucky enough that Couch Potato has given me good advice about the serial numbers for Victrolas as well as Edison Homes and Standards.

shopdoc wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 10:04 am I was lucky enough that Couch Potato has given me good advice about the serial numbers for Victrolas as well as Edison Homes and Standards.

I was not suggesting that "Couch Potato's" advice was anything less than excellent. I reread your posting and the confusion is apparently my own. I now see that your references to Victrolas and "H" & "S" serial numbers were not related.

JerryVan wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 10:20 am I was not suggesting that "Couch Potato's" advice was anything less that excellent. I reread your posting and the confusion is apparently my own. I now see that your references to Victrolas and "H" & "S" serial numbers were not related.

I didn't think you were! I just have to get better about explaining in my posts.

victrola VV VI 174083F
victrola VV IVA 409144
victrola Vro II 5051A
victrola VV VI 254864F

Identifying the Victor Victrolas, and finding out when they were manufactured is very easy, thanks to the Victor-Victrola page -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/ -- which provides a description of each model and a dating guide by serial number (for most enclosed horn models).

Since Google monitors the site's information, all you have to do, for instance, is to go to Google, type in Victrola VVIX and you'll come up with the following -- https://www.google.com/search?as_q=Vict ... type=&tbs=

Click on the top link from the Victor Victrola page -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/IX.htm -- scroll down to the Serial Number Chart, and you'll see that it was manufactured in 1914.

For most external horn Victor Talking Machine models, such as the Vic. II, there is no serial number dating guide, but you can still get a good idea of when they were manufactured due to the detailed descriptions provided -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Victor%20II.htm