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Old 26th Jun 2021, 6:36 pm   #1
G6Tanuki
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Default Tungsram valves?

In my Babani valve-equivalents book there are quite a few Tungsram valves listed - as well as some marked "Mul-Tung" [Mullard-Tungsram] but in all my radio life I never came across a Tungsram-branded valve!

[I note that there were two Tungsrams: I'm talking about the UK one based in Tottenham, London not the Czech Republic one].

The Babani book notes that Tungsram are not BVA members. I also note an ad in a RSGB handbook for a company called TORVAC [Tottenham Radio Valve Company] based at the same address as Tungsram.

So what was actually going on? Was there some tie-up between Mullard and Tungsram? Were Tungsram valves [initially] made only for export or something (I also remember 1950s/60s ads for valves listed as 'For Export Only').

Last edited by G6Tanuki; 26th Jun 2021 at 6:57 pm.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 6:47 pm   #2
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

The ones in the Red, Yellow and Black boxes are the ones I remember the most when I was in the trade.

Lawrence.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 7:26 pm   #3
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Not BVA members suggested they were not manufacturers.

Anecdotally, I was told the Tungstram brand was a way of Mullard taking a share of the budget market without devaluing the Mullard name.

Most of the single ended B9A valves I've seen with the Tungstram brand printed on have the Mullard 4way pinch top, suggesting it a credible theory.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 7:47 pm   #4
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Tungsram was founded before WW2 in Hungary. The name is derived form tungsten and wolfram.
Not sure about the Philips - Tungsram tie up but it was most likely before WW2.
The British Tungsram radio valve works was initially a subsidiary of the Hungarian company.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsram
From Graces Guide: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Britis...am_Radio_Works

The company still exists and specialises in lighting. Now a GE owned company.

https://tungsram.com/

DFWB.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 7:52 pm   #5
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

I believe Tungsram provided lots of Mullard valves when western European production was winding down.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 7:58 pm   #6
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Remember seeing late production Thorn 1500 series TVs with valves marked "Made in Hungary"

DFWB.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 8:03 pm   #7
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

And unfortunately on one batch "Made in Hunagry" Wonder what the Audiophools would make of those?

John.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 8:20 pm   #8
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Pre-war made in Hungary valve, the 6TH8 or TX6.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_6th8.html
This large triode-heptode frequency changer valve was fitted in some Sparton and Decca radio sets.

DFWB.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 8:51 pm   #9
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Interesting thread. I have just gone through a couple of boxes of valves and surprisingly discovered more Tungsram valves than I thought I had.

All appear to be rebadged leading makes including 807s, an American octal 1.4V output valve and a metalized HP4115 [Tungsram number?] stamped 'Made in England. it's probably a VP4 type hiding behind the Tungsram label.

As Laurence mentions the familiar boxes are Mullard valves with the usual date codes etc. [1971]. I prefer the pre war boxes! John.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 9:11 pm   #10
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Fascinating detail being revealed here. It seems also that British Tungsram valves were marketed in the 1950s/early-60s via Siemens Brothers [the UK branch of Germany's Siemens und Halske GMBH]

Attached are two ads from the RSGB Radio Communication Handbook. Note the identical addresses/phone-numbers of both Torvac and Tungsram.

I'm also intrigued by the mention of semiconductors!

Does anyone have a Torvac or British Tungsram transistor/diode?
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 9:15 pm   #11
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

If you were to search this very website you would discover that there was indeed a British subsidiary of the Hungarian Tungsram company which opened a factory in West Road, Tottenham in 1934 to make valves among other things. It was taken over in 1952 by Philips which explains the Mullard connection. Tungsram "Made in England" is thus true.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 10:15 pm   #12
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

The HAC kits used Tungsram valves.
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Old 26th Jun 2021, 11:35 pm   #13
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Heatercathodeshort View Post
... I have just gone through a couple of boxes of valves and surprisingly discovered more Tungsram valves than I thought I had. All appear to be rebadged leading makes ...
I've seen several Tungsram-branded GZ34s. I think every one has also had the Mullard Blackburn Type/Factory/Date code on it.

Cheers,

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Old 27th Jun 2021, 2:05 am   #14
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

I recently sold some Tungsram EL84's - the internal structure is quite different to the Mullard EL84's and there is no 4 way pinch at the top - while most of the lettering had worn off "Made in Austria" was still very legible.
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 6:18 am   #15
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

I have some aluminium “cigar tube” containers that were used by Tungsram (UK) to package small semiconductors in. I think I also have a TORVAC one somewhere.
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 7:24 am   #16
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Mote info here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=148244
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 10:22 am   #17
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

My valve collection, mostly obtained through bulk purchases of pulls found in lofts, has 30 Tungsram valves listed. They are mostly pre-war radio including some US types, the APP4? being quite common. I can also recall at least one 30's radio that specified Tungsram, it might have been Pegasus.
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 12:21 pm   #18
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

This note on the end flap suggests that these older valves have a war time origin. J.
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 1:39 pm   #19
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Here in Germany whilst still being in the trade, I remember using many Tungsram valves as well as Valvo and Telefunken. I still have quite a number of NOS Tungsram valves in my collection.

These are all in blue boxes with black and white lettering on a red long drawn oval shaped background. Can anyone shed any light on their origin?
I did not intend to hi-jack G6T's thread so mods, if you deem it appropriate could you please start a new thread?
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Old 27th Jun 2021, 5:31 pm   #20
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Default Re: Tungsram valves?

Hi Eddie.

I wonder if your Tungsram valves were made by the Hungarian Tungsram-company [Headquartered in Budapest] rather than the London Tungsram?

There are photographs of Hungarian Tungsram boxes and advertising material on Radiomuseum here: https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hers...company_id=863

Hope this helps!

--G6Tanuki
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