I'll stick with this thread because I'm still not sure what I've got. According to the seller, the radio was in the basement when she bought the house. That's the same story as for all the best stuff I've gotten in the heart of the city. Wealthy neighborhoods went into decline as owners moved to the suburbs. Stuff was left behind and sat in basements for decades. A new owner buys the place and clears it all out. That's how I also got my RCA 630TS, Sparton 931 and Philco 15DX.
Anyway, here are some pictures I took. Maybe you guys can solve the puzzle ?
Here's the front of the radio. The escutcheon says C.A. Earl radio, but they only made a few '20s console TRF radios as far as I know
Here's a closeup.
It sure looks like the eye tube is after market.
Here's a closeup of the finish. The wood is in very condition under that flaking finish.
I know I've seen this cloth pattern before somewhere.
Here's the backside where it gets more confusing. Rola speaker with what looks like an RCA chassis to me. The old rubber power cord is in excellent condition.
All the 2.5 volt (57, 58, 55, 2A5) tubes have been replaced with 6.3 volt ones (6C6, 6D6, 78, 42). They're also all RCA tubes. Maybe the power transformer is a replacement ?
I'll pull the chassis and take a closer look.