1917 Loose - Coupled Antique Radio W/ Western Electric Headset & Murdock Condenser
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:19229380 |
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Here's a complete loose-coupled crystal radio radio built for home or experimental use ca. 1917-1919. The radio is constructed around an unsigned loose coupler and features an R.W. Adjusting Crystal Detector (with the box it came in), a Murdock Phone Condenser, and a pair of early Western Electric headphones. This is a pre-broadcast era set and was probably made with plans from a popular magazine and was assembled on a bevel-edged 15" x 8" solid wood board.
Condition is good, and none of the components are distressed or damaged. Headset works, and the coils on the loose coupler are still tightly wound around the form. Board is in good shape, and the detector is complete and appears to be functional. One of the wires on the underside of the board appears to have been replaced, but I could be mistaken. The radio came from a yard sale in upstate New York, so my guess is that it was passed down from generation to generation since new, and that perhaps some attempt was made within the past 50 years or so to get it working again.
The radio is being offered for historical and/or collecting purposes only, with no assurances stated or implied that it's suitable for modern broadcast reception.
That's about it. I will pack everything carefully and properly, and I can assure you that it will show up at your doorstep in the same fine condition in which its leaves mine. I have been shipping antique phonographs and radios for years, and if you check my feedback, you'll see that I know how to do it correctly.
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