Motorola TS-4 production data

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

With their 7" sets priced under $200, Motorola really gave the public with they wanted at the time. Considering how many of these sets exist today, it's easy to see that they sold well! Very soon the public wanted larger screens though, and with the improvements in programming, were willing to pay more for a set.
First chance I get I'll get the serial number of my blonde VT-71. It's as early a model as they come with the non-copper chassis, non-side-mounted lower front panel, channel 1, and no fine tuning. It also has the early sharp-edged HV box. The date stamped on the rear of the chassis even baffled the seller I got it from as it clearly says "1946"! Obviously this must be just a stamping error, but upon close inspection there is no indication that the "6" is a partial "8". It looks clearly like a "6"! It actually was purchased from the original owner, an old radio/TV repairman here on LI, a couple of years ago!:

Could you post a photo of that date stamp. 1946 does seem a bit early for a VT-71. It could be a very late '46 prototype or pre-intro set sent to distributors or high volume dealers.

-Steve D.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Steve D.

Could you post a photo of that date stamp. 1946 does seem a bit early for a VT-71. It could be a very late '46 prototype or pre-intro set sent to distributors or high volume dealers.

-Steve D.

First chance I get I'll do that Steve. I have placed right now where it's a bit of a hassle to move. I should've took photo's earlier. My repairman, who I got it from, who got it from the original owner, has seen many of these sets and noticed that this one was quite unique.
Joe
UPDATE:
I got to the back of my set and I think, according to Bob's production data, I've deciphered the info. My set has "TS-4-O" stamped on the back of the chassis. I'll assume the "O" is a "D". The serial number is 13604 which would be a very early 1948 set. The stamped date reads March 6, 1946, which I assume the "6" is a mis-stamped "8".
Thanks Bob for all your info!