[Drake] SW-4 Serial Number Fun

[W8DRZ at aol.com]

Once again I'm chasing serial numbers in an attempt to
track the true production numbers of a Drake Radio and
I need your help.  

If you are an owner of a Drake SW-4 or Drake SW-4A
this may be of interest to you.

 From published information I have always thought that
500 to 600 SW-4 receivers were built before the change
to the SW-4A version. 

  I no longer believe this is true.

  I recently acquired a SW-4A with a S/N of 451, this
then would mean that 450 or less SW-4's were built
before the change to the "A" version. I was surprised
to learn today of a SW-4A with much lower SN.

 The owner was kind enough to send me plenty 
of pictures of this radio, it is clearly a SW-4A
and sports the SN of 251. 

  This would mean a much smaller number of SW-4's
were built before the change to the SW-4A.

Here then is my quest, To find more information about
the SW-4's true production numbers.

Do you own a SW-4 or SW-4A? 
If so can you send me your SN and version.

I own two SW-4's, 221 and 225. 
Our friend Sindre has SW-4, 001. 

Their are 4 versions of the SW-4A and it would 
be fun to track the SN breaks on these as well.

SW-4A differences:

1) Earliest type has Dial window and PTO knob like a R-4
2) Next version is like the R-4B in the Dial window/knob
3) The C-Line type Dial and knob is next.
4) The last version is minus the NewYork Radio WW logo.

The SW-4 and SW-4A are a very over looked radio in
the Ham world being a AM only rig, but an important part
of the Drake History puzzle and one of my favorites.

 Almost 40 years ago in 1966 when the SW-4 first 
appeared it was way above the means of a 14 year old
paperboy. I had to settle for a Knight-kit SpanMaster
at one-tenth the cost of the Drake. ( I still have it!)
  Still I dreamed of someday owning a Drake receiver
and like many of us now I do, many times over, HI!
 
Thanks for your help.

73,
Jim - W8DRZ (Drake Radio Zone)
Collector, Restorer, Admirer
of Drake Radio Equipment