I just got this from a friend. I’d love to restore it, but can’t find the model or info on it. The family believes it’s from the 1920’s.

Looks like a 37-690 to me. Nice radio!

Philco 37-690X
http://www.tuberadioland.com/philco37-690_main.html

Followed by the No-Squat No-Stoop No-Squint model 38-690XX ...
http://www.tuberadioland.com/philco38-690_main.html

Greg.

Looks like the internals survived better than the external parts. They are great radios, and if you get the cabinet restored, it will look amazing. It's one of those Philco radios that has it's own unique style and look - nothing else like it. Have both the 37 and 38 models, and I really appreciate this 37 model more for it's uniqueness. To me, the 38-690, while attractive, isn't as unique when compared with other models from that year.

These also go for quite a bit of money if you get it fully restored. I waited a while to finally find one that was in excellent external condition before I finally pulled the trigger, and had to pay for it. Think mine was $1800.

Nothing like starting at the top, Big_Hoss!

If you're going to have just one antique radio, you may as well have the best one. With a 37-690 you're pretty much there.

-Rodney

Here I am looking for one and all I needed was to have a friend.
These are beautiful and deserve full treatments Hoss...

If you are in NY near Long Island I can help you with the cabinet work.
I cant do it but I can help you do it..

Thanks for all the input and information. I really appreciate it. Nothing like starting out with a great radio. I’m excited to get this going and restore it. I’m sure I’ll have all sorts of questions along the way. Thanks again everyone.

Just to answer one of your questions, the "37" of the 37-690 is the model year of your radio. So, your radio is from 1937. And, to be clear: Don't plug your radio in just to see if it works. It might work a little bit, but it might also start a fire. Your 37-690 needs to be properly serviced with all the electrolytic and paper capacitors and out of tolerance resisters replaced, among other things. If you're at all competent doing this kind of work, there's lots of information here on how to do that.

I don't know what your woodworking skills are, but you should be able to find a lot of good information on the antique radio forum right here on how to properly restore this wonderful radio cabinet.

And finally, it's a good idea to put your location on your profile. It would be a lot easier to find someone in your area or even a radio club that's nearby.

Good luck, Tom

Another point to make is to consider the 37 model year like a car. It was actually released in summer of 1936 for most of the 37-* models.

That one is beautiful from the back as well as the front.

Read more here, and search the Philco Phorum:

https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1937a/

https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1937b/

Indeed, here is a list of the 1937 Philcos in the July 1936 issue of Radio Retailing.
They didn't include the 37 prefix for some reason.

The far right column is number of tubes.

-Steve

Wasn't 1937 the first year Philco put the model year in front of the model number? At the time that list was produced, maybe that "feature" had not yet been incorporated into Philco's radios.

Tom

That is correct, that was the first model year for the prefix.