... in the 1940's had it's CRT shipped separated from the cabinet by RCA, to avoid breaking the CRT because the CRT mounting on the chassis was too fragile?

The TV can be seen in this link:

http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-434023887-televisao-antigo-rca-1948-_JM

Looks like a std TS-630 to me...They MAY have shipped the CRTs separately then, I dunno...

It's an 8TS30. Unlike the 630, the safety glass does not come off from the front.

It's an 8TS30. Unlike the 630, the safety glass does not come off from the front.

Ok, but what about the CRT? Is this the model which the CRT was shipped separated from the chassis?

Someone will fix me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the ones with integrated safety glass were shipped complete with tube. At least that's the way I've moved the ones I have. :)

Right through 1948 RCA shipped all picture tubes seperately. Not just one model.
The reason was for shipping safety.
That was the 8TS30, and, like the earlier sets, the picture tube came out from the front. The entire front came off.
It was felt better to ship the tube seperately.My 9T270, and, my table model 10" tv radio have it that way, and, entire front comes off. The tech delivering the set would do the installation in the customer's home.
My red book RCA mannuals have installation, and, set up instructions for installing the tube, and, doing all the first adjustments to the set before plugging it in the first time.

By 1949 a number of their tv's, mind you, not all, they felt the tube sas secure enough not to worry too much. However, some of the larger ttube models as well as some of the smaller table model sets still had to have the tube installed.
Not sure about after that, as, from '50 on only refferences to adjustmenst were given. I'll make note that the earlyy 16" sets still had the tube removed from the front, and, the tube was shipped seperately. So, instructions for installation were given.
Bill Cahill

I am worried. I am very interested on buying this TV, the price is just too good, I have paid much more for 1950's sets and a 1948 TV is virtually impossible to find here in my country. However, although I am a collector, I have no knowledge on electronics, so I am not able to disconnect the CRT from the chassis. How difficult is this? If I cannot disconnect the CRT I was thinking that maybe I could just wrap the CRT with a lot of plastic bubble to protect it where it is during the transport ( obviously I would also put the TV inside a VERY protected box ). One of my main concerns is that someone completely ignorant about the fragility of this piece will buy it, than have it shipped without any protection and it ends with the CRT destroyed. If I buy this I will not let it be shipped, I will pick it up myself, even though it is in a city that is many hundred kilometers from where I live.

I also hope that this TV is real and not a scheme of some sort, because the guy who is selling it is someone with zero feedbacks at the site where the TV is listed, and the TV is just too cheap, I see all the time people asking much more for very commom radios at that site, so... I suspect that this might not be real... anyway, I don't intend to loose money, If I press the "buy" button I will only pay for it in person, on the pick-up.

Some of the sets just won't sell well due to shipping, and, seller refuses to ship.
Since you are picking it up, with care, it can be moved safely, but, really should be dismantled. But, it can be moved.
I just wouldn't use a shipper that way.
Ask if you can pay for it upon picking it up. Most ebay dealers won't mind that.
Don't be overly afraid of the set, but, if you are planning on plugging it in, it needs to be restored properly first. Electrolytics dry out, and, short. Paper caps get leaky, and, shorted.
On these early sets, a number of "mica mold" caps were used, including on the line. They weren't mica caps. They were paper caps in mica style bodies.
They are very prone to failure.
I'd get a tech that knows how to properly restore these to go over it first.
If you have electronics know how, and, want to restore it, you will be able to learn how. A hint. Do NOT remove chassis until picture tube is taken out. Front of tube is held in by brackets screwed to cabinet.

If you are transporting it personally, in the backseat of a car or maybe in the back of a pickup truck, I think you would be okay with the crt installed and bubble wrap packed tight inside as a precaution. I have had some where the brackets at the front were so loose that I would have been afraid to even move the set a few feet. Even those, with enough packing around the front of the crt, would be okay. Now, I would not trust ANY shipping company to transport this for you with the crt installed. If the set got jostled at all bad things will happen.

The listing has ended. And, I was not the buyer. I really hope that it was fake and not real, because if it was real it was certainly bought by someone who is ignorant about the fragility of this piece, and so it will be shipped and have the CRT destroyed.