General Electric Model 410

BY RICHARD ARNOLD

Web Edition

In this article, Richard Arnold tells us how he scored again during one of his frequent visits to local antique shops. (Editor)

About six years ago I was making my weekly rounds through one of my favorite antique stores here in Ardmore, Oklahoma. I happened to come across the GE Model 410, shown in Figure 1, in one of the booths. It was not much to look at, and I started to walk past it. But, pickin's were really slim that day, so I decided to give it a second look.

I found that the finish was pretty rough, the grille cloth was shot, and there was a knob missing. Well, it looked like a challenge, and, at that point, I started to look at it as a possible project radio. I remembered that I just happened to have a set of knobs that matched the one that was still on the radio, so that was not a problem. The price was apparently right -- I think it was $13 -- and I went ahead and purchased it.

When I got the set home, I looked up the model number and found that it had been made in 1950. I cleaned it up some, tested the tubes, replaced the caps, added the new knob, and there it was -- a little mundane General Electric radio that had come back to life.

The GE Model 410

The GE Model 410 has a wooden cabinet that measures 9" x 7" x 13". It uses a slide rule dial scale that tunes the broadcast band from 540 to 1600 Kc. The two knobs are for on/off volume control and for tuning. It is an AC/DC set that operates on 105 to 120 volts. The IF is 455 Kc.

The GE Model 410 restored to life.

The set has six tubes: a 12SK7 RF amplifier, a 12SA7 oscillator, a 12BA6 IF amplifier, a 12SQ7 detector and audio amplifier, a 35Z3 rectifier, and finally, a 35L6GT power amplifier. The pilot lamp is a 6-8v bayonet style #47.

After getting the set working, I did a little cabinet refinishing, and put in a new grille cloth. Now I've got a 1950s radio that plays great.

I have looked on eBay for the radio a number of times and have yet to find one. I did, however, find a Model 405 that was up for auction and in really good condition; it sold for only $11.50. A 404 sold also, but I did not keep track of it. Who knows, maybe this 410 is pretty scarce.

The 410 is very selective, and the sound is great as it uses a 5-inch permanent magnet speaker. I tell you -- looks were deceiving with this little radio. It's a good one, and I listen to it just about every day. Sure am glad that I salvaged it.

There are two other models that use the same chassis: They are the Model 404, which is a brown plastic, and the Model 405, which is an ivory colored plastic. The General Electric Co., Electronics Department, Electronics Park, Syracuse, New York, made these radios.

References:

Rider, John F. Perpetual Trouble Shooters Manual, Volume 21, pages 19-22.

(Richard Arnold, P.O. Box 275, Lone Grove, OK 73443)

Richard Arnold, a frequent contributor to A.R.C., has been collecting radios since 1985. His interest is primarily in cathedrals and 1920s battery sets, and his collection ranges from crystal sets to a 1928 American Bosch in a Pooley cabinet. His prize is the 1932 Jackson Bell Peter Pan featured in the June 1991 A.R.C.