[Ron Ramirez]

As you know, Old-Time Replications makes perfect (actually, better than original) reproductions of two styles of Philco escutcheons that were originally made of Tenite. One is for Models 41-250, 41-255, 41-256, 41-280, 41-285, 41-287, 41-290, 41-610 and 41-611. The other is for Models 42-355 and 42-390.

There are many other Philco models which could be nifty looking sets if a solution was available to their shrinking escutcheons.

These include the following models:

41-84, 41-85, 41-221C, 41-221CI (ivory), 41-226, 41-841, 41-842, 41-843, 41-844, 41-851 42-842, 42-843, 42-844, 42-853, 42-854, 42-PT94, 42-PT95 (ivory), 47-204 (ivory), 48-206 (ivory).

All but the last two suffer from "Incredible Shrinking Escutcheon" syndrome. The last two, however, are made from an improved plastic that does not shrink or warp like the prewar Tenite escutcheons do.

I would like to receive your thoughts on the possibility of having reproductions of these escutcheons available. Please post your feedback here, and participate in the poll by indicating how much you would be willing to pay for a reproduction if they were available. (The poll will be active for 21 days; closing on December 8.)

I will forward the results to Larry at Old-Time Replications in a few weeks.

No promises. But if there is a great enough demand for this part, in brown, ivory, or both, maybe - just maybe - they might become available!

So...is this part something you would like to see?

Here are a few examples of sets that use this escutcheon:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/4184.jpg]
Model 41-84

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/41221ci.jpg]
Model 41-221CI, ivory (also made with brown escutcheon & trim)

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/41226.jpg]
Model 41-226 "Sled" (Photo credit: Robert Barr)

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/42pt94.jpg]
Model 42-PT94 (Photo credit: Clifford R. Huff)
This model also was available with ivory escutcheon & trim, with a different handle, as Model 42-PT95.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that I have absolutely no financial interest in this, and nothing to gain or lose in this potential project; I am merely conducting a survey on behalf of Larry at Old-Time Replications. I am only hoping that there is enough interest to make this happen. That's all.

[Guest]

I would be willing to pay whatever Larry Bordonaro wanted. You see, I have some of Larry's repros in my collection of radios. The repros he makes of wooden knobs actually HAVE woodlike grain in them. Not kidding. Larry is THAT good!! Even his competitors have their collective hats off.
As I say..anything he wants!!

[bill T]

Hi , Just got done installing his repo escutcheon as well as knobs on a model 41-280 . I know the poll is about the other radio escutcheons. But wanted to say I was happy with the parts. They look good and fit perfectly!

[panther]

Most definitely I would buy this product. I have wanted to own, but passed
many chances to buy these radio models that use the tenite escutcheons.
As far as price is concerned, I fully acknowledge that to produce a mold is very expensive, then on the other hand if by some chance the old mold still exsist, that would make a big difference in the final price.
Dan

[Ron Ramirez]

A new mold will have to be made, which is very expensive. I'm trying to help Larry determine if there will be sufficient interest in this part to justify a large investment of time and $$$$.

I sent Larry a link to this thread, so he can read the replies. I am sure he appreciates your feedback.

[zenith82]

I think replicating this grille would be an excellent idea. There were several models that used it, most of which are rather common and over half of which have warped or broken grilles. I know I've passed up at least a dozen of these sets which were otherwise nice because of the damaged grille.

I hope there's enough demand for Larry to start making them. I've obtained a few knobs from him in the past and his work is top notch.

Tom

[Doug Houston]

I have several of the portable Philcos and a couple of the table sets shown here. I've seen one of Larry's '41 bezels at AWA a few years agop, and it's more than just superb. I'll check which sets I have and will get back with you. I'm game to replace all of my bad bezels.

Doug. Houston Ortonville, Mich.

[Guest]

Count me in too. I have a few Philco's in that style that have warped escutcheons.

BR,

Terry

[Ron Ramirez]

Thanks to everyone for their votes and comments. This has all been passed on to Larry at Old-Time Replications; if he decides to make these available as reproductions, I will announce it here on the Phorum.

[BDM]

I wish this had happened Nothing like drumming up an old but important thread. I have a 41-221C. They really are nice radios. They're also surprisingly good performers. Excellent tonal quality. They have no RF amp section, but use dual IF amplifiers.

[Ron Ramirez]

Thanks for the reminder, Brian. I now realize I never did announce the obvious...unfortunately, these escutcheons are not going to be reproduced in the foreseeable future.

I talked to another source besides Old-Time Replications, who also declined to make these.

Guess we''ll have to wait until the Tenite shrinks away to nothing on those 41-226 "Sled" radios, causing the prices of the remaining models with halfway decent escutcheons to go through the roof, before we'll start seeing repros - if then.

[BDM]

Ron, I've noticed the post war models with the same escutcheons don't seem to suffer this fate. I believe they're made of an improved Tenite. Anyhow, they look the same. Might they fit?

[Ron Ramirez]

Those are Models 47-205 and 48-206. They look the same and appear to be the same dimensions.

I bought a 47-205 to see if it would indeed fit, but as usual...no time to disassemble and try a test fitting...yet.

It was my intention to offer this escutcheon to one of the reproducers to use to make a mold, as my 47-205 escutcheon is not warped at all.

All we need, once we confirm that the 47-205 escutcheon does indeed fit the older models, is someone to reproduce them.

Of course the color of the 47-205 escutcheon is wrong for many of the earlier models; it would have to be made in a medium brown with a marbleized effect; a dark brown for the 41-226 "Sled"; and in ivory.

[FStephenMasek]

Updated: Larry tells me he is working on a new mold for the escutcheon used on the 41-250. I was able to modify the old one using a very sharp 1/4" wide chisel, and now have it on the radio.

Original Post:
The escutcheon he sold me for the 41-250 is far from perfect. The holders for the clear covers and paper labels to indicate button function are made wrong, so the clear covers and labels can not be installed. He acknowledged today that his mold is made incorrectly, so I am urging him to have his molds re-made, but for now, the part is useless, unless there is some way to modify it.

[Guest]

I'd pay top $$ for a new one for my 41-226!!! Any updates? :

- Rich