Philco What Is It -
dconant - 10-16-2025
Hello, Looking to possibly buy this radio but I need to drive eight hours to get it and then back again. Does anyone have any idea what model it is? The speaker is a K-17 if that helps. Using the Philco speaker list I was thinking one of these. But what pictures I saw none matched.
14B (Code 122), 16B, 17B, 18B, 116B (late), 118B, 650B, 655B
Thanks,
Dan
RE: Philco What Is It -
morzh - 10-16-2025
I think it is a model 16B radio.
RE: Philco What Is It -
RodB - 10-16-2025
Looks in great shape. I bet those 90 year old paper caps are just as good ;-(
Maybe the seller can meet in between if you buy lunch.
RE: Philco What Is It -
dconant - 10-16-2025
Mike, I think you are right.
Rod, Seller said he would do 2 hours. Do we have those paper caps for desert?
RE: Philco What Is It -
RodB - 10-16-2025
Covered in lots of gooey wax!!
RE: Philco What Is It -
morzh - 10-16-2025
I think there are only 2 radios that look similar (plastic hexagonal escutcheon)
Philco 16B and Philco 34b/44b (34 is the battery version; a shorter escutcheon without the shadograph).
RE: Philco What Is It -
Radioroslyn - 10-17-2025
Sure looks like 5 band 16B from 1933 code 121. That's the first generation of the 16's tabletops.
https://philcoradio.com/library/download/service%20info/service%20bulletins/Philco%20Service%20Bulletin%20165B.pdf
RE: Philco What Is It -
morzh - 10-17-2025
Yep.
That screw in the tuning knob is the tell-tell.
RE: Philco What Is It -
dconant - 10-18-2025
Oh so there is something there. Is that supposed to be there?
RE: Philco What Is It -
morzh - 10-18-2025
Yes. The reason you could pull this to "switch gears" for tuning.
If it weren't there, the knob would eventually just come off.
Those codes that do not use it, will not have the screw as it is not needed.
RE: Philco What Is It -
Radioroslyn - 10-19-2025
As for the rosette knob w/the screw in the center I've seen both configurations with the other have the set screw in the side. Either way it does need one or the other. The next generation would be the same set but in the tombstone cabinet and have a H-13 (10 1/2") spkr. They use bakeolite hex knobs and the tuning knob has a set screw in it's side.
https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1935a/#Model_16B
Here's how to rebuild the 2sp dial drive.
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/shop-talk/techniques/dial-drive-rebuilding-models-16-34-44-144/