I'll be refinishing the outer Cabinet of the DuMont, and I have a question:

It LOOKS like a Mahogany Finish, or was one, but, it's so old and washed out I have no definitive answer. When photographed, it looks reddish. Under flourescient light, it looks less red.

What is (was) it?

LJB:smoke:

PS: I've seen photos of 47-49 vintage DuMonts and most are mahogany, in a semi-gloss finish. Correct?

You may want to douse the flourescents and aim a halogen flood on the subject; flourescents can make the most delectable steak look totally disgusting. In fact anything with reddish hues are apt to be subject to this distortion.

BTW my trip today did not allow a visit to Pittsfield Radio, where the cache of Sams lies awaiting my fingertips to caress its being. Saturday I'll be down in the Pitts, but I doubt the store will be open; they are operating extremely limited hours lately, as the beloved patriarch that owns and runs it is recuperating from surgery, and his son who works there also probably wants to be with his wife and new kid on the weekend. Please keep my old friend in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

I'll give it a go next week, and hopefully I can get something to you shortly thereafter if my search proves lucky for ya! I'll keep you posted.... :thmbsp:

Every ad I have seen for the late '40s and early '50s Dumont sets, if a finish is mentioned, it is "fine mahogany veneers", or "hand rubbed mahogany veneers" or "blond".

My Colony is very dark but my other Dumont sets are lighter mahogany.

If you remove a trim piece, possibly the original finish will be revealed underneath.

Hope this helps.

Yes, Tim. It does help.

What level of sheen do you think they left the Factory with? Semi Gloss, looks to Me...

LJB:smoke:

My Colony is a mirror piano finish. Not sure how the others started out.