CT-100 Chassis and CRT
Serial Numbers
A task as trivial as assigning serial numbers takes
on an ungainly demeanor in the heat of new production goals, processes, and
deadlines. In the section titled Serial Numbers for 15GP22s All Over the Place, there is evidence of those problems that invariably
arise when something new is put into production. Next, the speculative opus
A Sibling’s Tale postulates how an early
1954 production CT-100 can wind up with a 15GP22 date code from the middle of 1954. But first, The B is for Bloomington discusses current CTC2
serial number records. –Pete
The B is
for Bloomington
Serial
numbers for the CTC2 chassis used in the CT-100 apparently begin with 100
(B8000100). [This assumption is based on current data; no serial numbers
between B8000000 and B8000099 have surfaced.]
There are
three documented CTC2 chassis numbers in this first (100–199) numerical
boundary: 0162, 0173, and 0194.
Serial
numbers for the CTC2 chassis used in the CT-100 probably end around 4100 (B8004100). [Updated
The
highest reported CTC2 serial number is 4019. Close rivals are 3801 and 3911.
A
Sibling’s Tale
Along with
CTC2 donor chassis B8000173, restored chassis B8000194 is probably part of the
second day’s production run. Unlike 0173, its younger sibling, which according
to date codes probably completed its manufacturing cycle on schedule, chassis
0194 was sidelined in 1954, probably due to a temperamental (or perhaps
unavailable) 15GP22.
Later that
summer, near the end of CT-100 production, it seems 0194 was revisited and
given rebuilt 15GP22 serial number IL2078 dated 4 30 (30th week of
1954). This time, chassis B8000194 did pass muster, got shipped out the door,
and wound up in
Chassis
B8000194 and its kin, B8000173, were separated until 2004 when they met again
in, of all places, my living room in
Serial
Numbers for 15GP22s All Over the Place
The terms rebuilt and rebuilding refer to work performed on a 15GP22 before its final installation in a new CT-100 at the
·
Usually,
a serial number for a 15GP22 is located on a paper label glued to the funnel,
but sometimes it is found on a band of paper around the base of a 15GP22. Some
will also have the serial number etched inside the tube, and one can then
crosscheck that internal serial number with the paper label.
·
There
is no visible serial number inside rebuilt 15GP22 IL2078. So unlike some
rebuilt 15GP22’s that were given a new serial number, IL2078 appears to be the
only serial number assigned to this tube.
·
An
early 15GP22 yields yet another variation. 15GP22 with date code 4 04 (4th
week of 1954), was not rebuilt. Yet for some reason, the label on the funnel
marked IK1273 was overwritten with the same number etched on its shadow mask
and phosphor dot plate: 6255. A second 15GP22 has surfaced with similar
serialization characteristics. It began life 4 17 (17th week of
1954) as IK1795, but was renumbered 10201.
These
three variations are summarized in the table.
|
15GP22 SERIAL NUMBER |
15GP22 DATE CODE |
CTC2 SERIAL NUMBER |
NOTES |
|
IK1273 and 6255 |
4 04 |
B8000173 |
No
evidence of rebuilding. IK1273 and 6255 identify the same CRT. 6255
is etched inside tube. Label overwritten with
6255. |
|
IK1795 and 10201 |
4 17 |
B1111542 |
Some evidence
of rebuilding. IK1795 and 10201 identify the same CRT. 10201 is etched inside tube. Label overwritten with 10201. |
|
IL2078 |
4 30 |
B8000194 |
Rebuilt
tube with original number IL2078. |
|
IL6057 |
4 26 |
B8003911 |
Rebuilt tube
with new number IL6057. First label was peeled away and replaced with new
IL6057 label. |
[Table
updated
In conclusion, it seems that out-of-spec 15GP22’s were being rebuilt by RCA at least during the 26th to 30th weeks of 1954 and then installed in a backlog of CT-100’s. Some 15GP22’s were given a new serial number, some were not. Early 15GP22’s had serial numbers etched on their shadow mask and phosphor dot plates. ■
