Assigning of a serial number was done consecutively until production of the model was discontinued. Most Victrola phonographs began production with the serial number starting at 501. When this is the case, dating a phonograph accurately can be possible with some educated guessing. Furthermore, the earliest machines have incomplete factory records. In other words, there can be at least 2 or even more serial numbers that are identical for a given model. Then, another reset was also done in 1909. It was rather difficult to identify the exact dating of these very early models of external horn machines since a reset in the serial numbers was performed in 1905. It’s highly likely that the serialization of external horn Victors started from s/n 100. There are some which display the model number as “V” (for Victor), “Type,” or “Style.” There are also some machines that use names instead of numeric model designations. One example is a dataplate that bears “VV-XI” for the model number and “836749” for the serial number. In a dataplate, the model number would be displayed first and then it would be followed by a serial number. Each model comes with a unique serialization. Each dataplate has a serial number found on the right and a model identification that is stamped on the left. In order to view some plates, the turntable should first be lifted straight up and then off the motorboard. It is placed either on or near the motorboard (for models that have lids) on the side part of the phonograph (for most models with external horn and those that are lidless) or beneath the turntable (for the cheaper models and some that were launched in the 20s). Features of a Victor PhonographĮach Victor phonograph is designed with a metal dataplate.

This include providing a unique serial number for the majority of their phonographs. Despite the Victor Talking Machine company’s long history of making phonographs, they did a very good job in providing a way to identify the models. For true blue phonograph collectors, identifying an authentic Victor phonograph is never difficult.

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