He was an active and avid HAM radio operator for over 70 years, he was an Army Signal Corps Radio School instructor during the War, and an electronics serviceman for much of his life. He brought home surplus radio equipment after the War, and we are wondering if this unit was from this time period. It appears that my dad built the cabinet, and my husband did the research on what this unit might be, based on the tubes and components. If you have a better idea on this tuner, we’d love to hear from you!!! Anyway, this might be a great piece for YOUR collection! Here’s a bit of what my husband discovered. The cabinet appears to be home-made to accommodate this tuner, which has no nameplates, labels or chassis identifiers. The vacuum tubes include a 6U76 pentode, which was registered August, 1936. So, the tuner was designed after that. The three-gang turning condenser (Part Number 32-1833R) suggests Philco model 37-89, which used part number 31-833. However, the dial (Part Number 27-5205) suggests Philco model 37-61. Since I cannot find the circuit configuration, I’m not sure if the dial is original, or a replacement. The dial was designed for Standard Broadcast and Short Wave from 5.7 to 18 megacycles. The black crackle-finish on the chassis suggests a military? Early in WWII, Philco began courting government contracts from the Navy and the Army Air Corps. By 1943, Philco had stopped manufacturing civilian radios, but they did get some contracts to build radios for tanks! Is this a tank tuner?? During the years 1943-45, Philco also manufactured other electronic equipment for the government. Did that include radios for ships and airplanes?? This particular chassis features Meissner, compact, shielded antenna and RF coils (14-1024 and 14-1035). Meissner designed its compact coils for use where space was at a premium such as inside military equipment! Type : Tuner with three-gang tuning condenser (#31-1833R). Dial is scaled for Standard Broadcast and Short Wave. Model : This item was found with WWII Army Signal Corps radio equipment from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Was this a prototype? Maybe the only one in existence?? Valves/Tubes : (Appears to require 6) — 6U7G, 6K7, 6K7, 6H6, 615, and??? . The “missing” tube would fit in a 5-pin socket at the rear of the chassis (see photo). Approximate reception range : Dial is designed for Standard Broadcast and Short Wave from 5.7 to 18 megacycles. Nominal Cabinet Dimensions : (All dimensions approximate) 8″ wide by 13″ deep (not including protruding controls) by about 8-1/4. External Wires : 1 33-1/2 long 6-conductor harness with 8-pin plug. 2 9-1/2′ of shielded cable with a straight plug microphone connector similar to. Amphenol series 75 — antenna. 3 Two unshielded wires. 4 A short shielded cable with a phono-plug. We’ll leave that for the experts! This dial was apparently broken at one time and repaired. Private radio museums, vintage radio buffs, prop managers, collectors of military or vintage memorabilia, Philco radiologists, or someone who thinks he already has everything, but he doesn’t have this yet! Well, lots to read! I hope this information helps to give you some clue as to what we have here! I hope it is a unit that you would love to “play with, ” to restore, or even to use the vintage components. Anyway, thanks for looking here! The item “Vintage Military Tuner with PHILCO Parts in Home-Made Wood Cabinet” is in sale since Monday, June 24, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1930-49″. The seller is “churrolady” and is located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Iceland, Sri lanka, Peru, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay, Russian federation.
- Modified Item: Yes
- Modification Description: Home-made cabinet
- Brand: Philco