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Philco knob colors - Printable Version

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Philco knob colors - Guest - 07-24-2008

While restoring a couple of mid to late '30s Philcos,I noticed that some of the knobs on these sets are black while others are brownish/mahogany.What is correct color knob for the years '35 thru '38?
73 de Bill W4NJF


- BDM - 07-24-2008

Generally black from what I know & own. The brown ones were used on later 40 and up sets. Again, I'm not 100% sure of that.


- wonderwrench - 07-24-2008

From what I have seen which is limited to 1936 and 1937 models, 1936 models have black knobs and 1937 models are brown knobs. The limited number of pre 1936 models I have seen have black knobs. The 1938 models I have seen had brown knobs. After 1938 I have no clue.


- BDM - 07-24-2008

Are we talking a very dark brown? Almost indistinguishable between black? I've noticed this on 37/38 sets.


- Guest - 07-24-2008

Ah So! I think I'm getting a consensus of opinion here,and it looks like "36 and earlier knobs are black and '37 and later knobs are brown.
Am i reading this correctly?
73 de bill


- wonderwrench - 07-24-2008

Bill Fulling Wrote:Ah So! I think I'm getting a consensus of opinion here,and it looks like "36 and earlier knobs are black and '37 and later knobs are brown.
Am i reading this correctly?
73 de bill

That's the way I see it. We need to hear from Ron or chuck to know for sure.


- BDM - 07-24-2008

Again, are there a lighter brown, or a very dark brown? Later ones from the 40s(possibly 39) are a lighter brown depending.


- Ron Ramirez - 07-24-2008

1935 season - Hex or "acorn" style on most Philco models, except for Model 16, late version 144, and 97 with concentric tuning knobs; these used knobs with a sort of octagonal shape. I've seen these in black, and very dark brown.

1936 season - New knobs except for the cheaper models; all black.

1937 through 1940 seasons - Same style round knobs as most 1936 models, except they are brown instead of black. The band switch knobs on 1937 and 1938 models are VERY different from the bar knob used on some 1936 models only.

1941 season - A new knob made of Tenite, smaller than previous (1937-40) knobs.


- Guest - 07-25-2008

Thanks Ron! I wasn't sure about this but it had me scratching my head-why would Philco use knobs where the colors were noticeablly different on the same set.
73 de Bill