Who actually manufactured the radios that have the same chassis between RCA and General Electric? I am now working on a G.E model M-81 that the schematic is for an RCA model 143. I have run into numerous radios like this over the years. Sometimes detective work is involved as they do not seem to be cross referenced very well.
Thanks,
Jon.

RCA made them up until GE got back into radio manufacturing in what, 1934? It was a condition of the agreement splitting off RCA in 1930.

:RCA made them up until GE got back into radio manufacturing in what, 1934? It was a condition of the agreement splitting off RCA in 1930.
:
:
;There are also some Westinghouse radios in the multi-branding scheme. Cross reference lists are in the back of some RCA service literature of the period. In many cases, the same 'set' was branded RCA, GE, or Westinghouse. Some of the chassis assemblies were made under contract by a third party, such as Continental Radio and TV, US Radio and TV, and Colonial - which may have farmed the assembly out to smaller manufacturing facilities who built under specific contracts. In general, across many brands, you will find chassis assemblies with no identifying brand name or model number (other than something stamped with a rubber stamp). These were frequently made by a third party, and packaged and sold under many brand names, including Silvertone, Airline, Walgreens, AND major brands. If you look through any Riders manual of the period, you will find cases of the same schematic, even to the style of drawing, under more than one brand name.

If I remember correctly some Graybar radio's shared the same chassis as the RCA's as well.

Richard

::RCA made them up until GE got back into radio manufacturing in what, 1934? It was a condition of the agreement splitting off RCA in 1930.
::
::
:;There are also some Westinghouse radios in the multi-branding scheme. Cross reference lists are in the back of some RCA service literature of the period. In many cases, the same 'set' was branded RCA, GE, or Westinghouse. Some of the chassis assemblies were made under contract by a third party, such as Continental Radio and TV, US Radio and TV, and Colonial - which may have farmed the assembly out to smaller manufacturing facilities who built under specific contracts. In general, across many brands, you will find chassis assemblies with no identifying brand name or model number (other than something stamped with a rubber stamp). These were frequently made by a third party, and packaged and sold under many brand names, including Silvertone, Airline, Walgreens, AND major brands. If you look through any Riders manual of the period, you will find cases of the same schematic, even to the style of drawing, under more than one brand name.
:

:If I remember correctly some Graybar radio's shared the same chassis as the RCA's as well.
:
:Richard
:
:::RCA made them up until GE got back into radio manufacturing in what, 1934? It was a condition of the agreement splitting off RCA in 1930.
:::
:::
::;There are also some Westinghouse radios in the multi-branding scheme. Cross reference lists are in the back of some RCA service literature of the period. In many cases, the same 'set' was branded RCA, GE, or Westinghouse. Some of the chassis assemblies were made under contract by a third party, such as Continental Radio and TV, US Radio and TV, and Colonial - which may have farmed the assembly out to smaller manufacturing facilities who built under specific contracts. In general, across many brands, you will find chassis assemblies with no identifying brand name or model number (other than something stamped with a rubber stamp). These were frequently made by a third party, and packaged and sold under many brand names, including Silvertone, Airline, Walgreens, AND major brands. If you look through any Riders manual of the period, you will find cases of the same schematic, even to the style of drawing, under more than one brand name.

Thanks to all for the info. I have also run across some Westinghouse radios that I swear look to be made by American Bosch-the chassis are identical to Bosch's. Sometimes I have also deciphered small initials in the corners of the labels to determine the manufacturer. It all just ads interest for me.
Jon.
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:
:

::If I remember correctly some Graybar radio's shared the same chassis as the RCA's as well.
::
::Richard
::
::::RCA made them up until GE got back into radio manufacturing in what, 1934? It was a condition of the agreement splitting off RCA in 1930.
::::
::::
:::;There are also some Westinghouse radios in the multi-branding scheme. Cross reference lists are in the back of some RCA service literature of the period. In many cases, the same 'set' was branded RCA, GE, or Westinghouse. Some of the chassis assemblies were made under contract by a third party, such as Continental Radio and TV, US Radio and TV, and Colonial - which may have farmed the assembly out to smaller manufacturing facilities who built under specific contracts. In general, across many brands, you will find chassis assemblies with no identifying brand name or model number (other than something stamped with a rubber stamp). These were frequently made by a third party, and packaged and sold under many brand names, including Silvertone, Airline, Walgreens, AND major brands. If you look through any Riders manual of the period, you will find cases of the same schematic, even to the style of drawing, under more than one brand name.
:
:Thanks to all for the info. I have also run across some Westinghouse radios that I swear look to be made by American Bosch-the chassis are identical to Bosch's. Sometimes I have also deciphered small initials in the corners of the labels to determine the manufacturer. It all just ads interest for me.
:Jon.
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::
:
:I have always been interested in the history of radio, from the manufacturing and engineering standpoint. It is sometimes difficult to tell just who designed and manufactured radios and for whom. I am aware of two very small contract manufacturers who bid on assembly contracts for a variety of players. Some of the players did not have a manufacturing facility of their own. As per a previous note, Graybar was in the RCA / GE mix. For example, RCA R8, GE J80, Westinghouse WR-18, and Graybar GT-8, and an unknown Silvertone use the same chassis, which I believe was manufactured in a small factory in Danville, Virginia. Ed M