New to me machine. Need help identifying it.

[donkee]

I picked up this little guy from an estate sale for next to nothing. Not sure why but I really like it. I did plug it in at the sale to verify the motor was working, it is.

It is missing a needle and a couple screws. I was wondering if anyone might know the manufacturer, was it a kit, homemade from parts, etc. Just looking for info on it. There are no marking on it that I can find yet.

This is my first post on the site. I have been a lurker for a while and have found the info quite helpful with my other acquisitions.

Thanks in advance!

[barnettrp21122]

Hello donkee! I'm glad you've signed on. I hope you enjoy the forum.
This looks like a homemade kit to me. The tone arm and reproducer resemble an orthophonic's.
Does the sound just go down into the box?
Bob

[estott]

I can't see any image

[larryh]

I believe these type small phonographs were produced in the 30s and 40s, I will look an see if something like it is in some old Sears or Wards books.

Larry

[FloridaClay]

Humm. Odd. Except for the acoustic tone arm and reproducer, it looks for all the world like one of the common turntable units that were for sale in 40s and 50s with a tone arm and crystal cartridge that output though wires that connected to RCA plugs on the back of radios of the day. They played through a radio's auxiliary input setting.

Clay

[donkee]

I haven't dig into it yet but there are no outputs for speakers. When moving the tonearm the sound is amplified coming out of the side. As far as I can tell no other electronics on this other than for the electric motor.

I am hoping to open it up this weekend.

Here are photos of the other 3 sides.

[donkee]

It won't take the last two. too big. I'll get them re-sized.

[donkee]

Ok, now they work...

[donkee]

[De Soto Frank]

The arm looks like those used in 1930's - '40's General Industries / Birch portables, and the reproducer looks like it might be from a Brunswick Panatrope ? ( Does it have a "G-clef" sign embossed on the cover ?)