Help identify this radio -

[paulsherwin]

The tuning scale doesn't show the Third Programme, which started in 1946. I would say 1938 or 1939 too.

[sparkzter]

Thanks all, so many interesting points and questions raised I'll try and offer some replies below. Thanks all for your assistance on this.

I did wonder about a magic eye, however the glass has the band colour key text (SW, MW, LW) on it which would obstruct the eye which might be odd?

I'm guilty of cleaning the volume pot, I gave it a quick clean before soldering the new power flex on. I had another poke about and couldn't see a date on the electrolytic cap.

The metal can behind the EBC33 is a Westinghouse 6J5 and the 4 pin socket is indeed for the speaker (I unplugged it when I pulled the tray out)

I just reviewed some images of the Barker and the scale plate does have a very similar style. I think you're on the right lines! and Gayler and Pope would also fit the GP on the display. I just Googled about for a bit but couldn't find much about the company or if they had a logo which matched this set.

This set was originally owned by my partner's granddad, who lived in Bedfordshire as long as anyone remembers. This has now sparked some family history interest to see if there is any Marylebone connection, of course he could have just bought this years later second hand, but we do know it's been in the family a very long time.

The red valve is an EBC33 and I attach some more photos which might be of interest now I've started to remove a few decades of dust!

Vintage radios are not something I have a great deal of experience in, however they have fascinated me for many years so I will enjoy bringing this back to life. It certainly makes a change from the modern equipment I'm normally working on!

Thanks again,

Garry

[Station X]

I don't know whether anyone's warned you, but don't apply power to this set without doing some basic tests first. Otherwise damage to expensive to replace components could result.

Restoration information here:-

http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-...ion/index.html

[sparkzter]

No worries there, i'm new to vintage radios, but not to electronics. The normal stuff i repair also lets out the magic smoke should you not know what your doing!

i'm enjoying learning new things though, I served my apprenticeship in the 90's so i sorta missed the boat on valve technology!

[Herald1360]

Comparing the valves with the Barker 88, 6J5 is a plausible replacement for 6C5 as is EBC33 for 6R7.

[stitch1]

Originally Posted by sparkzter

...

I did wonder about a magic eye, however the glass has the band colour key text (SW, MW, LW) on it which would obstruct the eye which might be odd?...


Garry

As others have said it seems to be the same chassis as the Barker 88. You can see on this photo where the magic eye would be with no writing on the dial.

John

[mister valve]

That chassis is definitely a "Barker 88" Chassis, but with a different dial, and of course, a different Cabinet.

Someone told me years ago, that these chassis were built by 'Plessey' for the Barkers Department Stores, so it's possible that Plessey may have made them for other companies too

The valve line up in my Barker 88 is the fairly standard one, although some chassis were fitted with different o/p valves and some were fitted with M.O.V. range through the whole chassis.

6A8 (Frequency Changer), 6U7 (I.F. Amp), 6R7 (First Audio Triode Amp. Second Detector & AVC Diode), 6C5 (Phase Splitting Triode), and two 6V6 (Push/Pull, Output Beam Tetrodes), 5Z4 (Full Wave Rectifier). I think the Magic Eye was a 6E5 ? Mine has a (M.O.V.) Y63 fitted.

As I said earlier, some chassis were fitted with different O/P Valves. Sometimes two 6F6 Pentodes, or KT61 Beam Tetrodes with a change in the Cathode Auto-Bias Resistance value to give the correct negative Grid Bias to the respective output pair of Valves.

[sparkzter]

Thanks all, i really appreciate the expertise you are sharing.

i've been doing some digging on the Barker 88 and reviewed the service sheet for the earlier variant which seems to match this set. i can now get on it giving it a thought triage and hopefully resurrection.

The only grey are now is if Gayler & Pope were the distributing department store..it seems to be the most likely option however would love to hear is anyone else has a GP set.

Thanks again,


Garry

[jonnybear]

I was wondering if the cabinet could have been home made and a surplus chassis added, there were many advertised in the early 50s in the Practical Wireless magazine, if they were made for Barkers by Plessey it could have been a cancelled contract with another company, or a one off prototype. just a thought.
John

[sparkzter]

Originally Posted by jonnybear

I was wondering if the cabinet could have been home made and a surplus chassis added, there were many advertised in the early 50s in the Practical Wireless magazine, if they were made for Barkers by Plessey it could have been a cancelled contract with another company, or a one off prototype. just a thought.
John

Whilst not an expert on these things, the internal build looks more like a production article than a cabinet maker or DIYer would put together when inspecting some of the joints etc. Also looking at some of other Barker sets, the bezel around the glass looks to be the same as other factory models, so i think this must have just been a set that didn't attract a lot of sales.

Speaking to the family, its known to have been at least in its current appearance since the 1950's however there is a feeling this may have been handed down to my partners great grandfather to her grandfather, so there is a chance they owned this from new.




Garry

[McMurdo]

According to a legal document I found, Gayler & Pope were drapers in Marylebone. It mentions the shop sueing the milkman when the horse pulling the milk van decided to plough through their ground floor showroom.

[sparkzter]

Originally Posted by McMurdo

According to a legal document I found, Gayler & Pope were drapers in Marylebone. It mentions the shop sueing the milkman when the horse pulling the milk van decided to plough through their ground floor showroom.

That might explain why they didn't sell many radios as the milkman's house trampled them all down!

...of course it doesn't explain why a draper is selling radio sets in the first place!? however they clearly had a diverse range including nurses outfits - http://rcnarchive.rcn.org.uk/data/VO...3-june1925.pdf.

i also found a card detailing their grand opening and xmas bazaar - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/169448004714325330/

[Electrical]

Looking at the pictures of the chassis of the radio jogged my memory that I had a similar radio but with the name of Victory on the tuning scale and the stations as listed on the tuning scale would date this radio to post war. However the chassis layout is almost the same and the underside of the chassis differs around the RF and oscillator coil pack.
The valve line up is as follows: -
6K8G, 6K7G, 6BR8, 6BR8, 6V6G, 6V6G and a U50 Rectifier.
Please have a look at the attached photos.
Regards Stan.

[Heatercathodeshort]

The red E Mullard is printed EBC33. J.

[Edward Huggins]

Interesting to see that metal fabricated "screen" for the 6K7 IF valve. Also I note the reference to 2 x 6F6s in PP in Post #27 which I guess would give less output than 6V6s. Never come across PP usage before for this rather, somewhat sidelined, audio output valve.

[Silicon]

The presence of 'Stagshaw' on the dial suggests that it was produced after October 1937.

Most set-makers removed it from their dials after 1st September 1939.