At long last I have obtained one of these radios for the KB museum, it looks to be in more or less original condition. (there is a MES bulb and holder in series with the HT- and GB+, I dont think this would be original)
You don't get to see many of these so I thought I would share it with you.
The radio was manufactured by KB for Godfrey Davis for a second attempt at running a campaign where one could exchange BDV Cigarette Coupons for the radio.
You may recall that the original and well publicised BDV campaign was for a small Bakelite "Masterpiece" about 8 inches cube. see http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolsterbr_masterpiece.html
This Masterpiece radio is a more substantial model with 3 valves in a nice solid oak cabinet with decorative veneers on the front ply panel, and an interesting and unique speaker fret.
It is battery powered, with HT voltages of 100v & 70v and with LT of 2v.
It includes a Screen Grid valve for the RF amplifier and triode valves for the detector and output valves. My example is fitted with a Cossor 215SG, Mullard PM1HL and Mullard PM2A.
In interesting feature of the radio is the tuning capacitor drive.
It has a ganged tuning capacitor with additional fine control. Both capacitors moving vanes are controlled together, by the outer knob, but by turning the centre knob the rear capacitor "body" can the rotated 20 degrees independently of the front capacitor. It will be interesting to see how effective this is when I test the radio.
Tests so far show the magnetic reed speaker to have a healthy 2.3k resistance, but the inter valve transformer has one half of the secondary open circuit, so I will bridge across this when it comes to testing. The 3 valves all have good filaments.
This style of resistor seen in this chassis does not seem to be used in any other KB radio until 1933.
The normal type of resistor seen in a 1931 KB radio are like these below.
It would be interesting to hear from anybody who has one of these sets, so that we may ascertain how many there are.
I would also like to hear from anybody if they have seen the types of resistors below used in any radio sets prior to 1932.
I believe the date of this model may be later than originally thought. It is my belief that it dates from around 1932-1933 and not 1931 as mentioned in Radio Radio.
Another factor making me feel the date may be later is that KB issued a notice in December 1930 agreeing to not accept any more coupons for exchange for radios. see http://www.radiomuseum.org/forumdata...se_coupons.png
I wonder if this was simply to placate the KB authorised dealers, and maybe a reason why there are no markings on this radio to associate it with KB.
It does seem strange to start a new agreement with Godfrey Davis so soon after KB had agreed to finished the first campaign.
Mike
You don't get to see many of these so I thought I would share it with you.
The radio was manufactured by KB for Godfrey Davis for a second attempt at running a campaign where one could exchange BDV Cigarette Coupons for the radio.
You may recall that the original and well publicised BDV campaign was for a small Bakelite "Masterpiece" about 8 inches cube. see http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolsterbr_masterpiece.html
This Masterpiece radio is a more substantial model with 3 valves in a nice solid oak cabinet with decorative veneers on the front ply panel, and an interesting and unique speaker fret.
It is battery powered, with HT voltages of 100v & 70v and with LT of 2v.
It includes a Screen Grid valve for the RF amplifier and triode valves for the detector and output valves. My example is fitted with a Cossor 215SG, Mullard PM1HL and Mullard PM2A.
In interesting feature of the radio is the tuning capacitor drive.
It has a ganged tuning capacitor with additional fine control. Both capacitors moving vanes are controlled together, by the outer knob, but by turning the centre knob the rear capacitor "body" can the rotated 20 degrees independently of the front capacitor. It will be interesting to see how effective this is when I test the radio.
Tests so far show the magnetic reed speaker to have a healthy 2.3k resistance, but the inter valve transformer has one half of the secondary open circuit, so I will bridge across this when it comes to testing. The 3 valves all have good filaments.
This style of resistor seen in this chassis does not seem to be used in any other KB radio until 1933.
The normal type of resistor seen in a 1931 KB radio are like these below.
It would be interesting to hear from anybody who has one of these sets, so that we may ascertain how many there are.
I would also like to hear from anybody if they have seen the types of resistors below used in any radio sets prior to 1932.
I believe the date of this model may be later than originally thought. It is my belief that it dates from around 1932-1933 and not 1931 as mentioned in Radio Radio.
Another factor making me feel the date may be later is that KB issued a notice in December 1930 agreeing to not accept any more coupons for exchange for radios. see http://www.radiomuseum.org/forumdata...se_coupons.png
I wonder if this was simply to placate the KB authorised dealers, and maybe a reason why there are no markings on this radio to associate it with KB.
It does seem strange to start a new agreement with Godfrey Davis so soon after KB had agreed to finished the first campaign.
Mike
