[airboss01]

I obtained this little radio in Tulsa easily 40 years ago. I'm now trying to figure out what model it is, and perhaps also figure a way to restore it in something resembling original. I have not tried to turn it on, as I was told not to even think about it until the unit was checked out. Label says Chassis type 53, Code 121 which doesn't appear on a Google search, I remember being told years ago this was a late 1920's-early 1930's radio but that's anecdotal evidence only. Thanks for any help!



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[morzh]

Welll...it is what it says.
Philco 53C.


https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1933a/#Model_53C

[airboss01]

Well, yeah that's what it 'says' but it does not look at all like one of the ones in the picture. I've not seen another even close to what this one looks like.

[David]

A link to Nostalgia Air list a 53 no 53C might just be the cabinet never worked on one. Nice looking set should be fun. David  http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/761/M0013761.htm

[airboss01]

Thanks very much! At least I have a starting point.

[klondike98]

It’s a 53C as pictured in the Philco gallery (see morzh’s link https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1933a/#Model_53C ) The top is slightly different with additional vent slots. Probably a change made during the production year. The front is missing the Philco decal probably because someone refinished the cabinet at some point. Nostalgiaair lists chassis schematics that were in the Riders schematic collection. The same chassis can go into different style cabinets for some models. The “C” is a cabinet style designation.

[Radioroslyn]

It's an ac/dc version of the model 84. A couple of other things in the schematic struck me odd. 450kc IF?  By '33 Philco had dropped the 175 and 260kc IF except for the 200X and had adopted 460kc. The use of a pm speaker on an ac set in the '30s. Philco use them in the farm set but this is the 1st one I've seen in an ac set.

https://philcoradio.com/library/download...%20149.pdf

[morzh]

>> Well, yeah that's what it 'says' but it does not look at all like one of the ones in the picture. I've not seen another even close to what this one looks like.


Well, look again. Specifically at the one that says "53C".
According to you, these two have no similarity whatsoever.


       

[RodB]

Looks the same to me, right down to the grille cloth. I can even hear Nelson Riddle in the speaker. 53C it is.

[morzh]

Rod

And it is in our own gallery.

It is the same; the grill pattern on top is a bit different, but then if you look at 38-12C radio, oh boy, do they have those galore.....

[radiorich]

Hello airboss01 ,
That sure is 53C and that was a good find on your half .
this looks like a fun project !

Sincerely Richard

[GarySP]

I agree it's a 53C. The vents in the top were a decorative solution to the heat generated by the tubes, and the extra vents probably, as Bob said, a mid-production design change. It does look to have a cabinet in less than original condition, a previous owner's probable refinish . Looking forward to your restoration threads. All in all a nice project! Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary