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Your cabinet is identical to the USA model
58C. The Gallery shows a 58C in photofinish which is in error - my mistake from years ago.
The first version of the USA model 54C has inlaid veneer where yours has a routed groove. A later (initial 1935 model year) version of the 54C and 59C used photofinish on the front panel. The January 1935 (mid-year) 54C and 59C used a different cabinet.
The model 53C cabinet is very different.
https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1933a/#Model_53C
Does your have the original metal back, or is it missing as it is on so many of these sets?
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Ron Ramirez
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Eeeeek! A mistake?
The back is unfortunately missing. I haven't seen any in person, with a back. I wonder why they were lost so often?
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Probably lazy "repair" people not replacing them decades ago.
I almost never see any 57C, 58C or 59C sets which still have their metal backs. On the other hand, a stock 54C will not operate without its back as the 54 incorporates a safety switch which the back holds depressed (closed). Without the back, the switch goes open and the radio will not operate.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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Ah, ok. I assume they did that because the chassis was live? I didn't realize companies incorporated an interlock into the backs so early. I thought that was a very early 1940's development...
Was Philco the first to do this?
I have a model 53 with it's back still attached.
(This post was last modified: 12-15-2021, 09:34 AM by
Brad Winder.)
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Philco only did this on model 54. Model 53 does not have such a switch.
No, the 54 does not have a "hot" chassis. To Philco's credit, as far as I can tell, they never built an AC/DC radio with the chassis directly connected to one side of the line as did some other manufacturers, including RCA.
No, I think they were being extra safe/cautious with the design of the 54. Their later AC/DC sets had no safety switch. I'm not sure if model 38-14 or 39-8 (AC/DC) sets even had a back - if they did, I've never seen one. I know the tiny Transitone/Philco Transitone five tube sets of 1939-42 had backs, but otherwise no interlock or safety switch.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN