A Find and a Question

[Dave D]

I braved the 34 degree morning temp and went to the local flea market. In a box of junk, I spotted this Columbia floating reproducer and scored it for a buck. I recall someone posted photos of a similar one recently with the writing on the underside. I can't find the post, so let me ask again. What was the deal with the engraved ones like this? Were they only used for a brief time?

This one needs a little work, but I am happy to have rescued it. I have never been able to do a neat job with the wax on these and would welcome any tips.
Dave D

[fran604g]

Wow, geez, a buck!? I need to get out more! Congrats.

[phonogfp]

Wow - nice score!

I'm not certain, but my own admittedly limited observations suggest that the engraved reproducers appeared a bit later - say 1903/04 - and then possibly reverted back to plain styles. A century later, it's so difficult to know if a given reproducer is original to a given machine...

George P.

[Dave D]

Wow, geez, a buck!? I need to get out more! Congrats.

Thanks! My wife was with me and just did not understand how happy I was to find this.
Dave

[Dave D]

Thanks, George! I appreciate your information.
Dave

[JerryVan]

Dave,

Armada?