This was a well-appointed tabletop set produced right on the eve of World War II, at a time when shortwave and police band reception were highly sought-after features. It represents a high point in pre-war Canadian consumer radio design.

This radio has been fully restored to its original condition both inside and out. Almost all electronic components have been replaced and the case has been refurbished. The radio has been completely aligned and it looks and sounds like it did in 1939.

Solving the Broadcast Problem

There are very few AM Broadcast stations left today. Given this the radio is is virtually useless. However, to ensure this radio sees daily use this radio has an added module attached to its back. By selecting "Television & Phono" on the radio's original switch the module is activated.  When the module's switch is set to FM the radio will automatically play the local FM station when turned on. Alternatively if this switch is in the Bluetooth mode, the radio will seek out the last device it was connected to and play when selected by the device.

When the module is first activated in the FM Mode it will search for a local FM Station to play. You can tune to your favorite FM Station by using the modules "Frequency" knob. 

When the radio's original switch is set to "Radio" the radio will function as designed and play the AM Broadcast.

1939 Sparton of Canada Model 7140

A Canadian-built prewar tabletop radio

📷 Appearance & Typical Style

While surviving photos of the exact 7140 are scarce, it follows late-1930s Sparton styling—wooden cabinets with Art Deco influence, pushbuttons, and a prominent dial.

🏭 Where It Was Made

The Model 7140 was manufactured in London, Ontario, Canada, by Sparton of Canada Ltd., a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Sparks-Withington Company.

Sparton established its Canadian operations in 1930 and became a major domestic producer of radios and later records and electronics.

📅 Year of Manufacture

Produced around 1939–1940

Sparton sets, the model year and production year sometimes overlap due to mid-year releases.

🔧 Technical Features

Circuit & Tubes

7-tube superheterodyne design

Tube lineup:

6SA7 (converter)

6K7G (RF/IF amplifiers, 2x)

6Q7G (detector/audio)

6E5 (tuning eye)

6F6G (audio output)

5Y4G (rectifier)

This was a mid- to upper-range chassis for a Canadian table radio of the time.

Reception Capabilities

AM broadcast band

Shortwave bands

“Police” band (common prewar VHF/low-band frequencies)

This made it a multi-band receiver, appealing to hobbyists and news listeners.

Tuning & Controls

Pushbutton tuning (station presets)

Unique drum-style tuning dial (noted in period references)

The dial rotates like a cylinder rather than a flat scale—distinctive and collectible today.

Audio System

10-inch electrodynamic speaker

Field-coil design (typical of the era)

Single-ended 6F6 output stage

This would provide strong, room-filling audio, especially compared to smaller 5-tube sets.

Electrical & Construction

Operates on 115V AC mains

Wood cabinet construction

Internal field-coil power supply and transformer

💰 Original Price (Estimated)

There is no surviving documented retail price specifically for the 7140, but based on comparable Canadian Sparton models:

Likely sold for approximately $70–$100 CAD in 1939

Context:

5-tube sets: ~$30–$50

6–7 tube multiband sets: ~$60–$100

High-end consoles: $120+

That places the 7140 as a mid-to-upper-tier tabletop radio, not entry-level.

1. Multiband Capability

Shortwave reception was a major selling feature in 1939, allowing listeners to hear international broadcasts.

2. Tuning Eye (6E5)

The “magic eye” tube provided a visual tuning indicator, considered a premium feature.

3. Drum Dial Design

A relatively unusual tuning system that adds both:

o  Mechanical interest

o  Collector appeal

4. Pushbutton Presets

Convenient station selection—modern for its time.

5. Strong Audio Output

The large speaker and 6F6 output stage made it suitable for living-room listening.

🧾 About Serial Number: 71400130

This serial number suggests:

o  Early production run (low sequence number)

o  Likely manufactured near the beginning of the 1939–40 production cycle

Sparton serial formats often included the model number prefix, followed by a production sequence.

🏁 Summary

The Sparton 7140 is a well-equipped late-1930s Canadian tabletop radio, combining:

o  Solid 7-tube superheterodyne performance

o  Multiband reception (including shortwave)

o  Distinctive drum dial tuning

o  Premium features like a tuning eye and pushbuttons

It represents the transition into more feature-rich, user-friendly radios just before WWII, and today it stands as a relatively uncommon and technically interesting Sparton model.

Compared to many radios of the era:

✔ Has RF stage (not just converter)
✔ Includes tuning eye (premium feature)
✔ Multiband capability
✔ Large speaker + good audio stage
✔ Pushbutton + drum dial combination

👉 It sits above average in engineering complexity for a Canadian tabletop.

🏁 Bottom Line

This Sparton 7140 (serial 71400130) is:

o  A well-designed 7-tube superhet

o  Built in London, Ontario

o  Technically closer to a “high mid-range” radio

o  Very worthwhile to restore properly