In a Nutshell
A rare Prewar Sparton model, that had to compete with the giants

Introduction:
Sparton's 1940 model 1271 is a 12-tube short-wave console radio, looking suspiciously similar to its direct competitor, the Zenith 10S464, as well as RCA's 1937 heavily-built high-end 816K console, designed by John Vassos. It is a two-band receiver, covering the standard broadcast band as well as short-wave from 6 to 19 MHz. Other features include an extra tuned RF amplifier, two IF stages, Automatic-Frequency-Control, Automatic-Volume-Control, Dual Viso-glo magic eye tube 6AF6, and full push-pull audio amplifier with 2 separate 6P5 driver tubes directly coupled to two 10 Watt 6AC5 power triodes. It has automatic 6-button tuning (Selectronne) and a tone control. A generous twelve-inch speaker and a built-in sheet metal antenna complement the feature list. The rarely employed 6AF6 tuning eye has two electronic tuning shadows, when compared to one for the common 6E5 and 6U5 magic eyes. The radio uses "Selectronne" automatic tuning, introduced by Sparton in 1938 for models 1068, 1268, 1568. This 6-push-button automatic mysteriously disables manual tuning, when one of the buttons is pressed, which is re-enabled by simply pushing the tuning knob back. Phil Nelson (ref.2) calls this automatic a Rube Goldberg like technical marvel. The radio has a two-wave slide-rule dial, which is side-lit by two pilot lamps and reverse painted with understating and spartanic black-and-white lettering. A switchable factory-installed Television sound/ Phono input will allow you to connect also CD and mp3 player and telephones.

Additional information:
ref.1: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sparks_wit_1271.html
ref.2: https://antiqueradio.org/spar03.htm
ref.3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQh_7P5fx_M

About my Radio:
The radio has its original 4 wooden knobs, speaker cloth and finish in mint condition, including the delicate photo-finish ornaments on the sturdy speaker bars and the pedestals, which often have to be sanded off. The radio plays fine on its two bands. Don't forget to watch the youtube video (ref.3) or click on pict.32. Please e-mail me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.

Here are the specifications:

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