[Ron Ramirez]

Reviving this old thread due to discussion here and on ARF.

I promised additional info. Here it is.

Part No. 4958-A
This is a large rosette knob. On the front and sides, it looks identical to an 03063 knob. But look at the back; this is where it is different. The 4958-A's back surface is flat, and the opening for the shaft is round. It uses a different spring to hold the knob in place on the shaft. And, yes, this knob also fits a 1/4 flat shaft. In contrast, the 03063 knob has a circle molded in the back. The opening for the shaft has a pentagon shape, with the knob spring placed in the widest part of the hole.

Part No. 4959-A
This is a medium rosette knob. On the front and sides, it looks identical to an 03064 knob. Look at the back; same comments apply to the 4959-A as the 4958-A above.

I have gone back and double-checked what various Philco service bulletins have to say regarding the knobs used.

Here we go (reiterates info in post #3 above plus adds info):

Model 20 (first few weeks of production, Bulletin 28 ):
Knob (Large) - 4279-A; Knob (Small) - 4280-A.
I cannot cross reference these numbers to any other Philco in my Service Bulletins. Since I have never seen a 20 with anything but a 4289-A for tuning and 4290-A for off-on and volume, I must assume that 4279-A and 4280-A are earlier part numbers for identical knobs, or else they are typos.

Model 20 (Bulletin 36):
Knob (Large) - 4289-A; Knob (Small) - 4290-A.

Model 21
No Bulletin for this set exists that I am aware of. The vast majority of these have been found with 4289-A tuning knobs and 4290-A switch and volume knobs. At least one has been found with a 4959-A or 03064 tuning knob, and a small hole in the front panel for the tuning shaft. Since the 4289-A requires a large hole in the panel to accommodate the extension at the back of the knob, this 21 was either a very late production set, or else the front panel (and tuning knob) were replaced by a collector.

Model 35 (battery operated version of Model 70, Bulletin 87):
Knob (Large) - 03063; Knob (Small) - 03064
Curiously, these are the only knobs listed although the two 35 sets I have seen had 03437 knobs on the off-on switch.

Model 46 (DC operated version of Model 21, Bulletin 53):
Knob (Dial) - 4289-A; Knob (Switch and Volume Control) - 4290-A.

Model 70 (early w/o AVC, Bulletin 57):
Knob (Dial) - 03196; Knobs (Switch, Tone, Volume) - 4290-A
I have no idea where the 03196 part number came from as it does not fit in with the other Philcos of this time period.

Model 70 (early w/o AVC, Bulletin 57-A):
Knob (Large) - 03064; Knob (Small) - 03437
03437 is the small rosette knob.

Model 70 (late w/AVC, Bulletin 57-B):
Knob (Large) - 03064; Knob (Small) - 03437

Model 90 (2-45, Bulletin 56):
Knob (Large, Dial Control) - 4958-A; Knob (Small, Tone & Volume) - 4959-A; Knob (Switch) - 4290-A
I once owned a 90 lowboy that used these knobs.

Model 90 (1-47, Bulletin 85):
Knob (Large) - 4958-A; Knob (Small) - 4959-A; Knob (Switch) - 4290-A

Model 90 (2-47, Bulletin 85-A):
Knob (Large) - 03063; Knob (Small) - 03064; Knob (Switch) - 03437

Model 50 (Bulletin 86):
Knob (Large) - 03064; Knob (Small) - 03437

Model 111 and early 112 - No knob information given.

I realize that the information above and in post #3 of this thread may raise more questions than give answers, especially when it appears that many Model 70 consoles (and possibly some cathedral models too) have been found with 03063 tuning knobs, 03064 tone and volume knobs, and 03437 switch knobs, Bulletins 57, 57-A and 57-B to the contrary.

My policy is to follow the information given in the various Service Bulletins, and compare with photos of original sets in original Philco ads of the time, and make a judgment call from there. (Yes, I know some Philco ads show knobs on sets that weren't used in production such as 20 knobs and escutcheon on a 90 cathedral; I take that into account when making a decision on which knobs to use.) I really don't give a rat's behind what anyone else does, especially since I know there will never be any consensus on this subject as the only people who really know the complete answers are dead...and dead men tell no tales.