The PHILCO Phorum

I now have two Philco consoles - the 531 and a 38-7, neither of which came with a back. In looking at a popular auction site, it appears that none of the floor consoles pictured have backs (unless they were taken off for potential bidders to see the chassis and speaker). For my units should I construct backs? I assume that some cutouts are needed for ventilation around the chassis.

Model 531 did not have a back originally.

In fact, the vast majority of prewar Philco consoles did not have backs. Exceptions include most 1938 models and several 1932-35 "X" models; most of these only have backs covering the speaker area, not the chassis.

So, yes, your 38-7XX would have had a back originally.