The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just bought this machine - looks like it came directly from many many years in the attic. At the auction the arm, soundbox and crank were missing - I hoped they would be inside the machine where people used to put them when moving - I got lucky!

The oversized horn looks as though it was always on the machine - what do you think? Its very heavy and has warped the hornholder so it hangs lower than it should - any ideas what to do about this (see picture).

What year could this be? Motor works - everything is very dirty. Would you polish the horn?

Looks like a very nice machine. I would:

1- disassemble the machine
2- clean the cabinet with GoJo or Kotton Klenser followed by Feed-N-Wax
3- service the motor as needed
4- polish the bright parts
5- service the sound box
6- I'd take the horn elbow to your local repairman that works on brass band instruments. He could straighten the elbow so the horn does not droop and possibly polish the brass horn
7- crank it up and enjoy

Jerry B.

The machine appears to be a Horn Model B of 1912/1915. If you have the "His Master's Gramophone" book, an example is pictured on Page 62.

This model normally had a single spring motor, but according to the authors, examples have been seen with a double spring motor. Yours is one such example and is probably quite rare.

The standard horn fitted was an 18 inch Morning Glory. The larger Witch's Hat horn on yours looks to be of earlier date.

epigramophone wrote:The machine appears to be a Horn Model B of 1912/1915. If you have the "His Master's Gramophone" book, an example is pictured on Page 62.

This model normally had a single spring motor, but according to the authors, examples have been seen with a double spring motor. Yours is one such example and is probably quite rare.

The standard horn fitted was an 18 inch Morning Glory. The larger Witch's Hat horn on yours looks to be of earlier date.

Are you sure that it is such a late model machine? The motor appears to be double-cut, which Victor replaced with quad-cut between 1905 and 1910 I think. Would HMV have used these rough and noise motors so much longer? Not questioning anyone's expertise, just interested...

Thanks
Andreas

The theory put forward in the HMV book is that this motor was used "due to wartime supply problems".

I know that I am a very small minority but I would leave it as it is. Even if it doesn't play. Just leaving it in peace to have a little rest.

epigramophone wrote:The theory put forward in the HMV book is that this motor was used "due to wartime supply problems".

That would make sense, even though it seems strange that HMV would have had many of these outdated motors left over after 5+ years. But stranger things have happened. Thanks for the explanation.

Andreas

Thanks for replys and thoughts! As far as letting it have another rest - well it seems to be bored with rest - it just had a really long one, but the idea is tempting too! The patina of time...

Cleaning and taking care of the wood is my next problem then; on this side of the great waters I cannot find GoJo or Kotton Klenser - but I wonder would any old handcleaner do the same trick? The wood is really filthy and dry. I read on Google that one should use a damp cloth with hand soap (antique furniture in general) - but somehow I dont see the damp part helping that wood?

Any ideas for alternatives for these american products in Europe? We dont have Feed-N-wax either!

I will keep posting how it goes with pictures.

I decided to try the handcleaner I had - and it worked well. There was a well preserved surface under the grime and only in a few places was it worn off - where one holds the case while cranking and around the brake.

WOW!! Amazing result. Thanks for posting. Steve L.