Design Details: Cranks and Speed Controls

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Cranks

The earliest Victors used flat-shank winding cranks. Around 1910, some models adopted a round-shank design.

 

 

 

 

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Speed Controls

The earliest Victors and most low-priced models used a Simple Speed Knob design to adjust turntable speed.

 

 

 

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Some of the more deluxe models, such as the Victor VI, used a Round Bezel with a pointer to reference the desired speed. This feature was adopted around 1905.

 

 

 

 

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Around 1913, some models, such as the "Schoolhouse" (VV-XXV) got a Semi-Circular Bezel design; however, this feature was not used on the standard tabletop models.

 

 

 

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Victrolas had started using the Small Glass Speed Control design around 1916; this feature was used on the very last external horn models, beginning around 1919. The dial indicator displays the actual turntable speed (measured via the governor assembly), which can be adjusted by the knob.