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Lafayette mystery cabinet - Printable Version

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Lafayette mystery cabinet - 37silverstreak - 10-23-2016

Hey everyone,
It's been quite a while since I've posted anything here. After 2 and a half years of caring for my mom in her home, I finally had to move her into a nursing home. It became just too much for me to handle by myself anymore. Good news is she's doing better and accepting her new home. Bad news is I've been working pretty much nonstop since September emptying out the home she and dad lived in for 51 years! It's a little place, only about 900 square feet and yet I've filled up 3- 30 yard dumpsters!!!!!!! I don't think they ever threw anything away Icon_crazy !! Anyway, I'm rediscovering some of the sets from my early collecting days. Quite a few Philcos, I will post some pics once they have emerged from the "pit". The first to come out was this "mystery" cabinet, The bezel says it's a Lafayette. This was in my dads home where he grew up. He told me once that my Grandpa pulled the chassis from this set and put it in another cabinet. I've never seen a cabinet like this before and was wondering if anyone here would have any ideas? there is no model number or label anywhere but the cabinet is definitely not homemade.
If anyone has any info, I would greatly appreciate it! thanks!
Here are some pics.
[Image: http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q500/kleroy1/009_zpsnwfskwz8.jpg]
[Image: http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q500/kleroy1/010_zpsxvwiqdc1.jpg]
[Image: http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q500/kleroy1/008_zpsr5wq1jpf.jpg]
[Image: http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q500/kleroy1/011_zpswgahc5ux.jpg]

RE: Lafayette mystery cabinet - Radioroslyn - 10-23-2016

Your a good son!!!! I should be so lucky! Folks that grew up in the depression didn't toss anything (you might need it someday!!!!) Darn sounds like me and I grew up it the '60s!

The short answer is look on line at Lafayette Radio catalogues around '31-33 or so. Have seen a few online. If you are looking for a replacement chassis it may be a tough one to find. If it where mine I would find a chassis that the dial would line up to the fnt opening and modify the other shaft to line up with the other holes. You could try the barking dog too. Philcos are our speciality!
That's a sharp looker too I'd do something with it even if it just was for my own enjoyment.

GL

RE: Lafayette mystery cabinet - SteveG - 10-23-2016

That's a beautiful cabinet, but there are two things I notice in the pics at a quick glance: First, the holes for the control shafts do not look like factory, but more like hand drilled ones. Second: there are no holes to bolt down the chassis, that I can see? My take is that a good amateur cabinet maker made the cabinet, in anticipation of putting a Lafayette chassis in it, but never did.....

RE: Lafayette mystery cabinet - Arran - 10-26-2016

 The speaker looks like it came out of a Wells Gardner produced set, and it looks like it's mounted on two pieces of wood lattice, which is not typically how a radio company would have handled it. I don't know if W.G made sets under the Lafayette brand, Lafayette Radio was like Allied Radio in that they sold a lot of private label stuff mail order, including communications receivers and stereo equipment made by Trio-Kenwood in the 1950s and 60s. Anyhow finding a Wells-Gardner chassis with the same control shaft spacing might be your best bet for getting something to fit that cabinet.
Regards
Arran