The 1941 line was introduced in the Fall/Winter 1940-41 catalog. The 1941 line is interesting for its cabinetry. Four models used high quality Ingraham cabinets, which have become favorites with collectors. This year marks the end of the tombstone style radio for Firestone, with the excellent "Music Master", which also boasts a cabinet with a remarkable variety of veneers.

S-7402-4 , "The Reporter"

This is the entry level Firetone radio for 1941. Note the small size, and the cheaper bakelite cabinet. Firestone managed to cram 5 tubes and an internal loop antenna into the unique, elegantly styled cabinet - all for only $9.95! This cabinet style was also used post-war by some manufacturers such as Meck Industries.

S-7426-6 , "The Commentator"

This is the ivory version of "The Reporter" above. The ivory paint job cost an extra $2 - bringing the cost of this radio to $11.95. Other features include 5 tubes, AC-DC operation, enclosed loop antenna, and beam-power output tube. This radio is carried over from the previous year, but now costs $1 less.

S-7403-4 , "The Treasure Chest"

The smallest and least expensive of the 1941 Ingraham cabinet Firestones. This radio is remarkable for its size, and exquisite cabinet. Of course, it does not have the performance of the higher-end Ingraham cabinet models. It was introduced in 1940, but continued into the 1941 line. It's an AC-DC set with "easy-to-read Gemloid dial", and retailed for $14.95. Don't you wish you could find one of these cuties for $14.95 now?

S-7403-5 , "The Melody"

The Melody was another of the Ingraham cabinet styles of 1941. The copy shown to the left is one that I recently refinished and restored. Click the small image for a larger picture. Interestingly, my copy has the "Firestone Air Chief" decal below the grille, not below the dial as is shown in the advertisement. These are interesting radios with neat cabinets which are well worth the trouble of restoring. This radio was initially introduced in 1940, but continued into 1941.

S-7403-6 , "The Troubador"

Another of the 1941 Ingraham cabinet Firestones, the Troubador combined smart styling with features. It had the broadcast band, as well as police band. The set featured AVC and "Colorature Tone Control". Wow!

S-7403-7 , "The Stratford"

This was the most expensive of the Ingraham cabinet sets offered in 1941. It combined good looks, BC and Shortwave bands, and other features. It retailed for $28.95. I purchased this example off e-Bay in the spring of 2003. It has been refinished, and looks quite lovely in person. These are very, very nice radios. The cabinets are stunning!

S-7403-8 , "The Chesterfield"

This radio seems to share a chassis with the S-7403-9, "The Music Master", pictured below. This radio uses a photo-finish strip on the front of the cabinet, so care should be taken when cleaning or refinishing a cabinet.

S-7403-9 , "The Music Master"

This is the top-of-the line Firestone tabletop radio for 1941. It's an 8 tube set with a fantastic, beautiful cabinet. It combines various colors/grains of walnut, with a rich finish. It retailed for $39.95 These radios are found fairly often, usually on e-Bay. I recently won an auction for one, oddly enough, for $39.95. The radio is very rough, and came to me in pieces. It will be quite a challenge to restore it.

S-7403-2 , "The Diplomat"

The Diplomat was introduced in the Spring-Summer 1941 Catalog and continued into the 1942 season. I guess you would call it a "mid-season" introduction. The Diplomat is a 6-tube bakelite set with a fancy cabinet. The dial on these radios is red, providing an interesting contrast with the white cabinet. Many people are now repainting these radios in a variety of colors, and sometimes painting the grille in a second color for contrast. To my knowledge, the Diplomat only came in white. It was not even offered in plain brown bakelite. The Spring-Summer 1941 catalog picture lacks a Firestone Air Chief decal on the front of the radio. The Fall-Winter 1941-42 catalog shows the radio with a decal. There may have been two versions. A radio without a decal may (or may not) have been repainted.

S-7402-5 , "The Commentator"

Another 5-tube bakelite set. These radios seem to come up for sale on e-Bay fairly often, and they are not unreasonably priced. This set does not seem to have come in any color other than white.

S-7398-1 , "The Beaumont"

The Beaumont was introduced in the Spring-Summer 1941 Catalog and continued into the 1942 season and is another "mid season" introduction. This is a stunning little 6-tube AC/DC set with a Stewart Warner manufactured cabinet. The front of the cabinet features strips of burl photofinish on the top and bottom edges -- be careful if you refinish one of these radios! It is very easy to ruin the photofinish. This is a popular radio which tends to bring high prices when they are available. A photo of the Stewart Warner version of this radio is available here.

S-7400-1 , "The Melbourne"

An entry-level console which also includes a record player. An interesting style, requiring the cabinet to be opened at the top for tuning the radio.

S-7406-6 , "The Hampden"

A middle of the road console, sharing the similar styling requiring the cabinet to be open for you to tune the radio. It doesn't do much for me, how about you?

S-7406-7 , "The Hepplewhite"

The year's finest phono-radio! Priced at $139.95, with a Capeheart-Farnsworth record changer. Mmm...good.