The AM Forum

Was in town this morning and met a fellow while pumping dollars into my trucks gas tank when he mentioned that his grandfather had an old shed with a radio in it. Well, being me, I had to see what it was. Followed him home and was told this was mine as it was going into the dump. Its an old Silvertone, short wave receiver. No model, no nothing. Judging by the looks and tubes, I would say 1930's. No I have not plugged it in. Any one seen a receiver like this? A quick Google search shows nothing. Just another bookend "barn" find.
Regards,
Gary...WZ1M

A little more research and found out this was made in 1939. Its a model #57PT. Mite consider this as a "next project" to toss onto the bench if I ever get time.
Regards,
Gary

maybe a 'morale radio?'

I don't see it listed as a morale receiver Patrick. That doesn't mean it wasn't but the absence of a nameplate kinda indicates it wasn't.
Here's a decent site showing a bunch of military stuff including some entertainment radios.

http://www.radioblvd.com/WWII_Communications_%20Equipment.htm (http://www.radioblvd.com/WWII_Communications_%20Equipment.htm)

Interesting that is continuous coverage from broadcast band to 39 Megacycles.  Also, in the lower right corner, looks like the crystal filter controls were removed and replaced with a phone jack and toggle switch.

Sears Standby.  Runs on 115VAC.

I have one, too.  No data, tho.

73DG

I looked in my Communications Receivers, 3rd edition by Moore under Silvertone and spotted that one model receiver description “may be a repacked Howard”.  I looked under Howard and found many receiver models from that era.  None match your photo exactly (but close) however I believe what you have is probably a Howard receiver.  Not all models mentioned in the Moore book have photos accompanying the descriptions.

The Osterman receiver book, Shortwave Receivers Past & Present has some Howard receivers, but not the model range I think is yours.

What is of most interest of the Howards in the Moore book is models 440, 445, 450, and 450 A; 6 to 12 twelve tubes, depending on model, 1938 - 1942.

Description of the 440 model – (looks very similar to yours)
1938 – 1939, price $74.45, $84.45 with crystal
Bands – 5, 0.54 – 40 Mc.
i.f. – 465 kc., filter – crystal (optional)
tubes – 9, 6K7 r.f. amplifier, 6K8 converter, (2) 6K7 i.f. amplifiers, 6Q7 detector/avc/audio amp 1, 6J7 b.f.o., 6J5 meter amplifier, 6V6 a.f. output, 80 rectifier.

Mine has all big-pin tubes.

73DG

That's a very cool receiver. As a long time Sears service employee, I've always had an affinity for Silvertone radios. I've never seen this model before.

Attached Howard 440 schematic from the BAMA site :