1940 Silvertone Restore Project

[theEpiphany]

So I have this neighbor who used to be a Physicist for Hughes Aircraft back in the day. Long story short, he knew of a friend who had a radio which was sitting in a garage for decades and offered it to me free of charge.

The house he took me too was built in the 1930s and amazingly still had a lot of items that probably came with the house which were probably sold and just left. The house wasn't in too bad a shape actually and I was happy to see that the original stove was still being used. This was more circumstancial rather than intentional as the owners aren't at all interested in antiques as most of us are.

Anyway, I was told that this would be a Silvertone "Transoceanic". Those of you know who know radios know what's wrong with that statement. (Zenith made Transoceanics not Silvertone.)

I figured It might be a tabletop model in REALLY bad condition. What awaited me was pretty exciting. It's nothing rare or obscure, but I consider anything that still has some potential life left, worthy of a full restore. I figured he was confusing shortwave for transoceanic.











The wood will need to be refinished and trim reglued. There are 11 tubes including the rectifier and the tuning eye. The cord is dried and flaking so that alone needs to be replaced. Once I get the schematic out and get the variac and multimeter ready, I'll know more about the condition of the circuitry.

Not bad for a free pickup. Going rate for a fully restored unit is only $225. But still worth the restore in my opinion.

[RetroToday]

Beautiful radio, and yes, a wonderful find too.

At first glance it appears to be a 1940 model radio, but I might say a year earlier based on the more intricate detailing of the woodwork.
Surprised that the dial escutcheon is in such great shape, many of those have warped over time due to the unstable composition of those earlier plastics.

So many of these big old consoles get trashed, it's very pleasing to see another Phoenix will rise from the ashes.
Progress pics please, as you get them.

[theEpiphany]

It's a 40 model no question about it. Actually it's a Model 6438 to be exact.

In fact I have the original Sears Catalog Ad for the Radio in my collection. What I love about it is Television Inputs on the back of the Radio 10 years before Radio really ever caught on.

I REALLY want to work on this NOW, but currently am backed up with a 47 Philco, a 49 Philco, and a 46 Westinghouse "Refridgerator" Model.

I'll post more pics when I take the Chassis out. I need to get the schematic from a friend before I can continue as I'm holding out for a complete set of Rider Manuals.

Thanks for the post Retro. Honestly, I can't see letting these go to Trash. In any way shape or form. Nothing like this is made these days, which is why I caught the bug to start restoring.