Question regarding the RCA 630TS cabinet.
 

There are two variants of 630TS cabinetry with regard to the mounting of the safety glass. One variant uses four small clips in each corner of the safety glass. The other variant uses one large clip centered on top, and then two small clips in the bottom corners.

Which variant is earliest?

The earliest advertisements (December of 1946) I can find show the four clip variant, as does the factory service information. Chuck Azzalina's site says that the four clip variant is later than the three clip.

Any ideas?

One well known vintage TV collector "Chuck" claims the top center clip version was 1st:

http://www.myvintagetv.com/rca_630ts.htm

-Steve D.

That's Chuck Azzalina's site. I'll have to find the December of 1946 ads I found showing the four clip version. I believe production started in November and continued well into 1947, thus December would more than likely still be "early" production, no?

In my years of research on these early TV's my definite opinion is that 4 corner clip version is the earliest. It's in all the early literature. The change must've happened early on because, by far, you most often see the later center clip version. The 4-corner clip versions rarely turn-up, although that doesn't equate to any value increase.
"Chuck" has it backwards.

I've inclined to believe you're correct. All the early literature shows it. And the four clip versions are much harder to find. The only one I've seen in the flesh is the one I purchased at the ETF auction this year.

Attached is the earliest advertisement I could find for the RCA 630TS from LIFE magazine, December 30, 1946. Note the four clips.

https://image.ibb.co/fB8o3T/RCA_Adve...er_30_1946.png

Comparing serial numbers to cabinet types should settle it.

I think the four clip is the early version, simply because the three clip is simpler, and products always evolve towards simpler.

Mine is a four-clip version with serial number C012292. I found photographs of a three clip version on eBay at the moment with a serial number of C061189.

Then I found a recently sold 630TS on eBay, three clip version, with serial number C011223.

Then I checked the serial number on my 630TCS, which I'm assuming would be in the same serial number sequence as the 630TS. The 621TS serial numbers seem to be intermixed with the 630TS serial numbers. Anyway, my 630TCS is serial number C001635. I also checked my 641, and that has serial number C004595.

Again, I'm assuming that they're all in the same serial number sequence. If that's the case, then I think it's safe to say there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the serial numbers.

Ben,

Found this 630 TS photo in the RCA Victor series "Television Volume IV" (1942-1946). While not the best photo, it shows there is no center clip. Published in Jan. 1947. However, lead time in the publishing process would have to dictate an earlier 1946 photo.

-Steve D.

And lead times would have likely been measured in weeks in preparing a publication like that. With this piece, I think there's ample evidence the four clip versions came first. Thanks Steve!

The cover of the October of 1946 edition of Radio Age, published by RCA, shows none other than a four clip RCA 630TS.

https://image.ibb.co/frFw7o/Radio_Age_October_1946.png

Ben,

Fantastic find. I think we can close the book on your original question.

-Steve D.