1938 Zenith 12S232 12-S-232 Walton Tombstone Radio

Here is one of the most popular and iconic table radios ever made. This 1938 Zenith 12s232 tombstone radio is famous for being featured on the Walton television series. With its beautiful Art Deco design, shutter dial tuning mechanism, and emerald green tuning eye it is considered one of the most desirable and collectible of all antique radios.

THE CABINET

The Walton cabinet features a stunning design with a peaked ridged top set off with columned front corners and a gorgeous book-matched walnut burl front. The unique double speaker grill covers a reproduction grille cloth that is an exact duplicate of the original swirl design. The three top ribs are exact replacements of the original ones, which were missing prior to restoration. The previous owner had begun to strip off some of the original finish (mostly on the trim areas and the top), and rather than completely remove the rest of the finish, I attempted to match the existing one as best I could. All of the surface of the radio has received at least some additional lacquer finish. There are a few areas where the surface is slightly uneven due to some varnish drips that weren't completely sanded down, but these are only noticeable on close inspection. There are various dings and other minor imperfections that you would expect in a radio that is over 70 years old, but overall the cabinet looks excellent and has tight veneer.

The cabinet has its original "MODEL 12-S-232" stamp, indicating that it did not come from one of the other three Walton radio models (7J232, 7S232, and 9S232) that used the same cabinet. 

THE DIAL, KNOBS, AND TUNING

The dial mechanism used in this 1938 Zenith is justifiably famous. The shutter dial has leaves that move away and out of sight as each band is selected, so that only one set of band markings is visible at any time. This radio also features motorized "Robot Tuning" so that the pointer can be quickly moved around the dial in either direction with a slight turn of the front tuning knob. The motor is in great condition -- the pointer spins around the dial much more quickly than you could ever move it by hand. Fine tuning is accomplished by means of the large knob located behind the motor tuning knob. All of the wooden "Z" knobs are original, correct, and are secure and turn smoothly as they should. (The top, fine-tuning knob is of the slide-on rather than set-screw variety. Zenith used both types on the 1938 shutter dial radios.) A new, bright Zenith brand 6T5 tuning eye tube allows pinpoint tuning accuracy. This particular tuning eye tube is rare and can often cost over $200, and features a bulls eye pattern that closes as the radio is tuned to the exact frequency of the desired station. (I should point out that even though this is a bright NOS tube, the pattern is somewhat uneven, which does not show in the photograph.) The unique shutter dial, motorized tuning, and stunning green tuning eye are sure to make this radio the centerpiece of any room or radio collection.

THE CHASSIS

The 12 tube Zenith 1204 chassis is in very good condition. The copper finish is original, and it has some wear and corrosion as you might expect in a radio this age. All of the electrolytic and wax capacitors were replaced and a line-to-ground safety capacitor was installed. Faulty sections of the candohm resistor were bypassed with separate power resistors. The RF choke was replaced with new coils. A complete alignment of all trimmer capacitors and IF cans was performed on the radio. All switches and controls were cleaned and the moving parts were lubricated. A new, safe power cord was installed. The old rotted rubber chassis mounts were replaced. Both the tuning belt and motor drive belt were replaced with new rubber belts from Adams Radio.

A previous owner had installed a phono input jack and switch on the back of the chassis. I left the jack in place but disconnected it from the audio circuitry. I rewired the switch so that it cuts power to the filament of the 6T5 eye tube, allowing the radio to be played without the tube lit (if so desired) so that its brightness can be preserved.

The chassis has its original "MODEL 12-S-232" stamp, indicating that it did not come from some other 1938 Zenith that used the same 1204 chassis.

THE SPEAKER AND SOUND

This 12S232 Walton has its very valuable original and irreplaceable 49-183 speaker. This speaker was used ONLY on the 12S232 Walton and is what separates a genuine 12S232 from a "Frankenwalton". These are often seen and are created by combining the 1204 chassis from a more common 1938 12-tube Zenith radio and a cabinet from a less-expensive Walton model such as the 7J232. The only problem is that these radios can't and won't have the original 49-183 speaker, instantly recognizable because of its round field coil cover. This 49-183 speaker is in excellent condition, the only flaw being a small 1/4" tear that has been repaired and does not affect the sound. The audio section features 6J5 first AF and second AF tubes feeding a pair of  push-pull 6V6's, the same arrangement that was used to power the 12" speakers in the many 1938 12-tube consoles that shared a chassis with the 12S232 Walton.  Hum can only be noticed with the volume all the way down and your ear up against the speaker. The chassis is has a 6K7 RF amp stage and is very sensitive, easily picking up stations all over the three bands (AM Broadcast, Police, and Shortwave) with a long-wire antenna. The radio sounds fantastic with plenty of volume, warm tone, and deep rich bass.  

I include a 30 day warranty on tubes (with the exception of the 6T5 tuning eye), capacitors, and other chassis components should they fail during normal use of the radio. There are no other warranties expressed or implied. There are no returns and all sales are final. The radio will be in the above-described working condition when shipped, but I cannot guarantee that the electronics of a 70+ year-old radio will not be affected by the inevitable jostling and jarring of shipment. I will do all that I can to advise the buyer in remedying any post-shipping electronic problems that might arise.

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I am experienced in the packing and shipping of antique radios. The radio will be double boxed and the cabinet cavity will be filled to support the speaker and prevent the tubes from dislodging. I will ship to the United States and Canada. Please refer to the eBay shipping calculator for shipping costs. The shipping price includes insurance and packing materials. I reserve the right to used FedEx Ground as an alternative to UPS Ground at my discretion.

I am not a high-volume radio seller. I am primarily a hobbyist who specializes in restoring high tube-count Zenith and Philco radios from the 1930's. I only sell radios occasionally. I strive to keep the radios I restore looking as original as possible. Unlike the "restored" radios often seen on eBay, my radios will have the correct original knobs and grille cloth, and they won't have a "glammed up" finish with unoriginal toning and coloring. I sell radios that any radio collector would be proud to own and display.