What is this? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

trh01uk · 18th Aug 2017, 9:43 am

Folks,

a friend of mine saw this radio in a local shop, and asked me what it is. Domestic radio is not my speciality - but I am sure someone on here will recognise this.

Two valves are evident - one is a PM1LF, and the other looks to be a PM1HF. I suppose there might be a 3rd valve lurking in the innards somewhere.

Richard

Tom_I · 18th Aug 2017, 10:15 am

I think that's the later version of the "Vulcan" made by J.G. Graves Ltd. of Sheffield, circa 1926. If you have the "Radio! Radio!" book (1996 Edition), it's Fig. 197 on page 85, bottom right.

Station X · 18th Aug 2017, 10:53 am

Looks very similar to this:-

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/graves_vulcan.html

Gridiron · 18th Aug 2017, 11:52 am

Its the second version of the Vulcan and the horn speaker is the correct one sold with the set and both look to be in good condition. Worth considering if £100 or less.
Mike

trh01uk · 18th Aug 2017, 12:03 pm

Thank you very much, Tom and Graham. That looks absolutely correct. A further search on "Vulcan" and "Grave" produced this link with a photo of the same set:

http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk...d.php?key=1070

I haven't seen the set myself, but my friend says he spotted it in a Ross-on-Wye antique shop. He says its like new, and it turned up in a house clearance. Its hard to imagine someone stuffing away a radio like this for about 90 years (I date it roughly 1926 to 1930) and then forgetting about it!

Richard

Station X · 18th Aug 2017, 12:04 pm

If the info at RM is correct, I'd say it's the third version.

Heatercathodeshort · 20th Aug 2017, 8:25 am

There is something about this that does not look right. The baseboard looks new and the cabinet stain appears to have been crudely applied at the back. Looks like a restoration or replica build. I can't believe a radio from the 1920's, no matter how well stored could be that shiny. It's still very nice. J.

18th Aug 2017, 9:43 am	#1
trh01uk Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 1,654	What is this? Folks, a friend of mine saw this radio in a local shop, and asked me what it is. Domestic radio is not my speciality - but I am sure someone on here will recognise this. Two valves are evident - one is a PM1LF, and the other looks to be a PM1HF. I suppose there might be a 3rd valve lurking in the innards somewhere. Richard Attached Thumbnails

18th Aug 2017, 10:15 am	#2
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: What is this? I think that's the later version of the "Vulcan" made by J.G. Graves Ltd. of Sheffield, circa 1926. If you have the "Radio! Radio!" book (1996 Edition), it's Fig. 197 on page 85, bottom right.

18th Aug 2017, 10:53 am	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: What is this? Looks very similar to this:- http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/graves_vulcan.html __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

18th Aug 2017, 11:52 am	#4
Gridiron Heptode Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 663	Re: What is this? Its the second version of the Vulcan and the horn speaker is the correct one sold with the set and both look to be in good condition. Worth considering if £100 or less. Mike

18th Aug 2017, 12:03 pm	#5
trh01uk Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 1,654	Re: What is this? Thank you very much, Tom and Graham. That looks absolutely correct. A further search on "Vulcan" and "Grave" produced this link with a photo of the same set: http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk...d.php?key=1070 I haven't seen the set myself, but my friend says he spotted it in a Ross-on-Wye antique shop. He says its like new, and it turned up in a house clearance. Its hard to imagine someone stuffing away a radio like this for about 90 years (I date it roughly 1926 to 1930) and then forgetting about it! Richard

18th Aug 2017, 12:04 pm	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: What is this? If the info at RM is correct, I'd say it's the third version. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

20th Aug 2017, 8:25 am	#7
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: What is this? There is something about this that does not look right. The baseboard looks new and the cabinet stain appears to have been crudely applied at the back. Looks like a restoration or replica build. I can't believe a radio from the 1920's, no matter how well stored could be that shiny. It's still very nice. J.