05-02-2009, 10:20 AM
Sigh...
Let's go through a bit of a lesson on Philco serial numbers, shall we, followed by a "Savage" commentary.
The Ron Boucher study, in which I assisted and was originally published in Antique Radio Classified magazine (a portion of which is now posted on Chuck's site), clearly shows that Philco assigned serial numbers consecutively to its entire radio line. In other words, they would produce a batch of 70 chassis, then some 90 chassis, some 112 chassis, etc., etc. Regardless of which chassis was being produced that day/week/whatever, each one received a sequential serial number. The last 90 off the assembly line yesterday may have been numbered 342999 and the next day when 112 sets began to roll, the first 112 on the line would get 343000. (These numbers are merely for example only, to illustrate a point I am trying to make.)
When Philco serial numbers reached 999999 they went to a letter followed by five digits; i.e. A00001. Once they reached A99999 they went to B00000. And so on.
According to Philco service data for the late version 90, these will have serial numbers between B32001 and B35000, and above B53100. Also according to Philco service data for the "mid" version of Model 90, these versions will have serial numbers above 237001 (but obviously below B32001).
The late version of Model 70 (with AVC and the infamous autodyne detector-oscillator circuit) commenced production with serial number B22000.
The late version of Model 112 (using two 47 output tubes) commenced production with serial number 174001.
Now, having dispensed with that, here comes some much needed (in my opinion) commentary:
<rant>What difference does all of this make anyway? Have any of you ever stopped to consider that, perhaps, it was not meant for everyone to know exactly how many of each Model 90 variants were made; the exact date and hour your particular Model 90 was built; if the wiring was installed by a beautiful woman or a homely one, married or single? Good grief, the next thing I expect is for some schmuck to demand to know what brand of toilet paper Jim Skinner used! Give it a rest already!</rant>
Let's go through a bit of a lesson on Philco serial numbers, shall we, followed by a "Savage" commentary.
The Ron Boucher study, in which I assisted and was originally published in Antique Radio Classified magazine (a portion of which is now posted on Chuck's site), clearly shows that Philco assigned serial numbers consecutively to its entire radio line. In other words, they would produce a batch of 70 chassis, then some 90 chassis, some 112 chassis, etc., etc. Regardless of which chassis was being produced that day/week/whatever, each one received a sequential serial number. The last 90 off the assembly line yesterday may have been numbered 342999 and the next day when 112 sets began to roll, the first 112 on the line would get 343000. (These numbers are merely for example only, to illustrate a point I am trying to make.)
When Philco serial numbers reached 999999 they went to a letter followed by five digits; i.e. A00001. Once they reached A99999 they went to B00000. And so on.
According to Philco service data for the late version 90, these will have serial numbers between B32001 and B35000, and above B53100. Also according to Philco service data for the "mid" version of Model 90, these versions will have serial numbers above 237001 (but obviously below B32001).
The late version of Model 70 (with AVC and the infamous autodyne detector-oscillator circuit) commenced production with serial number B22000.
The late version of Model 112 (using two 47 output tubes) commenced production with serial number 174001.
Now, having dispensed with that, here comes some much needed (in my opinion) commentary:
<rant>What difference does all of this make anyway? Have any of you ever stopped to consider that, perhaps, it was not meant for everyone to know exactly how many of each Model 90 variants were made; the exact date and hour your particular Model 90 was built; if the wiring was installed by a beautiful woman or a homely one, married or single? Good grief, the next thing I expect is for some schmuck to demand to know what brand of toilet paper Jim Skinner used! Give it a rest already!</rant>
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
