Identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This is a ruggedized, hand-cranked acoustic phonograph finished in military-issue olive drab, designed specifically for the U.S. War Department. It was the primary vessel for the 'V-Disc' program, bringing the sounds of home to soldiers in the most remote theaters of war.
Maker / Origin
Waters-Conley Company, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Waters-Conley Company, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Condition & Value
The exterior shows authentic field wear and oxidation on the metal hardware, which is desirable for military provenance. The instruction plate is remarkably legible, though the turntable felt is heavily worn and there is some interior lid damage.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The valuation reflects a clear market stratification based on condition and provenance verification. The $31 estate sale establishes the floor for unverified or poor-condition examples, while the Centurion Auctions result of $160 (including premium) provides a reliable benchmark for good-condition military-marked examples sold through specialist channels. The $495 private sale through The Talking Machine Forum represents the ceiling for exceptional examples with 'near perfect flocking' and original finish, demonstrating that condition drives exponential value increases in this market. The 50-100% premium these military units command over civilian Waters-Conley portables (which typically sell for $50-$125) is justified by their historical significance and crossover appeal to both militaria and phonograph collectors. The presence of original Special Services stenciling and Stock No. 36-P-820 markings are critical value determinants. Given the subject's military provenance and assuming functional condition with original finish, a conservative auction estimate of $150-$250 positions it appropriately between the general estate level and specialist collector pricing, with insurance value set at $500 to reflect retail replacement cost through specialist dealers like IMA-USA.
▲ Original U.S. Army Special Services stenciling confirms military provenance and V-Disc program association
▲ Stock No. 36-P-820 designation identifies it as the standard-issue WWII field phonograph
▲ Crossover appeal to both militaria collectors and mechanical music enthusiasts expands buyer pool
▲ Historical significance as the primary delivery system for the V-Disc morale program (1943-1949)
▲ Waters-Conley manufacturer marking establishes it as the most common and collectible variant
▲ Original olive drab finish and military hardware configuration intact
▼ Pot metal tone arm components prone to fatigue and cracking, significantly impacting functionality
▼ Missing or illegible instruction label reduces authenticity verification
▼ Repainted units or civilian conversions drastically reduce value to $30-$50 range
▼ Limited buyer pool compared to mainstream antiques requires specialist marketing
▼ Age of primary collector demographic (WWII generation and immediate descendants) may soften future demand
Best Venue
Specialist militaria auction houses like Centurion Auctions or Griffin Militaria, which achieve 2-3x better results than general estate sales by marketing to informed collectors who understand the V-Disc program significance
Upside Potential
Inclusion of original V-Disc records (valued at $20-$40 each) or period needle tins could push value toward $300-$400; exceptional 'museum-quality' condition with perfect flocking and stenciling could reach the $495 private sale benchmark