Hey,
I just bought a REALLY nice 1933 Stewart Warner 1261 "York" from an antique store in a small town in Michigan. The guy just brought it in, along with a bunch of stuff from an estate. It looks all original, and the finish is wonderful, yet intact original. There are a couple of minor marks here and there. The chassis is beautiful, and it plays well on all bands...no hum. Question..it is all one shade of walnut color, figured on the front, with black in the fluted parts, and the lines around the face. I saw one for sale on a website for a pricy sum, and it was refinished..except it had two tones of wood, and black paint on the cabinet. This one DOES look original. Who is right? Did they make different cabinet trims in the same model? Also, as to rarity..if the chassis is original ( haven't had it apart yet) does it rate a capacitor stuffing job? If it's already been recapped, then, well..whatever..it's not original anymore, so just take it from there. BUT, if it's pure..is this a fairly rare set to preserve? It is GEORGEOUS, with it's skyscraper design. The only bug in the ountment, is that the original grill cloth was replaced...with...yes, a doily..yep, a frilly, lacy, girly-man doily. Oh well..that's an easy fix, but it sure looks..well..sissified. Not for long!
Ed White