A '53 (I think) Zenith 21"

[AUdubon5425]

Picked this set up yesterday from a man cleaning out his garage - it's a 21" Zenith from about 1953. The gentleman bought it off of eBay, the seller had pictures of it working fine. When he received it he was sick - the seller simply placed it in a regular box and poured styrofoam peanuts around it. The neck of the 21FP4A CRT snapped off.

Otherwise, there appears to be no damage - the set is very nice. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it - it is a big tabletop set!

It also has a jack on the rear for a remote. I was not aware they had remotes available this early.

[AUdubon5425]

So what kind of remote would have been used with this set?

[batterymaker]

It wouldn't have been the Lazy Bones wired remote, would it?

[Old1625]

Ooh-man! That brings back memories from my childhood--coz we had one very much like that!

My guess is that it is a little later than '53....IMHO....

[Old1625]

Originally Posted by AUdubon5425

So what kind of remote would have been used with this set?

IIRC Zenith had optic remotes where you would aim and shine a light at various targets on the set to actuate the various functions.

Then later they came up with various sonar-type systems involving a hammer mechanism in the remote that would strike a chime bar, or create a whistle.

I rember a chum of my younger brother that was able to make my grampa's old Space Command Zenith change channels by screaming at the set...

[Steve K]

Your set is a K model which is 1953. The "Lazy Bones" remote (wired) was available for that model. I have the dealer sheet for your set if your are interested in a copy.

Steve

[AUdubon5425]

Originally Posted by Steve K

Your set is a K model which is 1953. The "Lazy Bones" remote (wired) was available for that model. I have the dealer sheet for your set if your are interested in a copy.

I would appreciate that Steve.

This is the oldest set I've acquired and I'm looking forward to working on it down the road after I get some other projects finished. I'm lucky to have the original owner's manual for this set with a schematic tucked in it.

[Steve K]

The model number should be something like K2235. Let me know and PM me your email address and I will send you the scan from the dealer sheet.

Steve

[bgadow]

I had a Philco that was a little newer than that with the wired remote. It was very simple, I think 3 wires, and you could easily replicate it with a switch or two (and some long wire.)

[Eric H]

I don't see a motor attached to the tuner so I'm guessing this set was never outfitted with a remote, just that the option was available.

Lazy Bones kits show up on eBay from time to time, usually for big $$

[AUdubon5425]

I'd like to get a good look at one - searching the internet only turned up multiple copies of a 1950 advertisement for the "Lazy Bones" remote.

And Steve: I'll send you the model number in the next couple of days - I already had put the set in my storage space (I'm remodeling the garage.)