What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

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Williameledge
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What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by Williameledge »

Can anyone help identify which model Edison cylinder machine that I have? It’s one of my father’s machines marked Edison Home Phonograph serial number 397374F(?) I’m a beginner in all this and have no clue about cylinder machines. In searching here I understand that there is no readily accessible website to look up Edison serial numbers as with the Victor Victrola page. Thanks!
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barnettrp21122
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by barnettrp21122 »

I believe your Edison machine is a Home Model C.
Quoting George Frow's Book: "Issued some time after mid -February 1908 and sold initially only in the State of New York, the Model C was not dissimilar to Model B in motor design, but above the top plate the swing-arm was no longer fitted and the mandrel was supported on a central bearing. A push button lift was fitted to the carrier-arm. Early in 1908 there was a small modification to governor construction when an additional collar with wire spring attached to the adjoining collar was put on the governor shaft. A Home with new horn and crane sold for $35.00."
The reproducer on yours is upside-down. Check to see if it is a model C or K.
If a K, it might indicate the machine is a Model D comination 2-4 minute machine, though I can't tell from the pictures if there is the necessary gearing on the left side of the belt pulley.
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt

His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
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rgordon939
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by rgordon939 »

That is a Home Model F. Introduced in 1912 and was the last model of the Home..

Rich Gordon
Last edited by rgordon939 on Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

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barnettrp21122
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by barnettrp21122 »

You're right Rich!
I should have read further in the book! :x
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt

His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo

outune
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by outune »

My 2 cents as the owner of an "F" and from reading Frow--

The Home F was intended as a 4-minute only machine, equipped with a Diamond B reproducer in a horizontal carriage. The 2/4 gearing was locked into 4 minute mode by a simple, small spacer on the shaft that will not allow it to shift into 2 minute mode. The same top casting from a D or E was used-- If you look carefully, the gold stenciled 2/4 directional marking just in front of the pulley may have been painted over at the factory since it will not shift to 2 minutes. That was done to mine, and it looks like it may be the case on the poster's machine as well.

It is very easy to simply remove the small spacer and convert it back to 2/4. The poster's F looks to have been converted to 2/4 and a slant-front carriage added.

The machine looks very nice-- the horn is messed up, but that's a minor detail-- The "F" machines don't turn up very often.

Brad Abell

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NEFaurora
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by NEFaurora »

"That is a Home Model F. Introduced in 1912 and was the last model of the Home.."

That's correct.

It's a rather RARE machine.. Nice find! Not a bad machine at all for a first find!!! You scored!!!

PS: Ditch the Horn...as it's trash...and hunt for a nice original on ebay.. Your Horn crane also looks correct as well..

:o)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer
Last edited by NEFaurora on Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jerry B.
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by Jerry B. »

How difficult would it be to find the correct carriagek and reproducer for this machine? Jerry

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rgordon939
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by rgordon939 »

Don’t think it would be that difficult.

Rich Gordon

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Phonolair
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by Phonolair »

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Didn't all the Home F's come with a Cygnet Horn. The back of the case is not pictured so maybe the original bracket holes are there.

Larry Crandell

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rgordon939
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Re: What Edison Cylinder Machine do I have?

Post by rgordon939 »

You are correct in that assumption. The Home Model F came with either a Oak finish metal cygnet horn or a Oak Music Master wood cygnet horn.

Rich Gordon

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