ORIGINAL FINISH?

[ambrola]

Hey guys, does this look original to you? I have seen a couple of blonde suitcase Homes that were early. I can't see any signs of a re-finish.

[Jerry B.]

Looks original to me but I'd like to see it in person. The decal looks terrific. Unless it's a recent Gregg Cline decal, it looks original to me. The old reproduction decals could be spotted from across a room. Jerry

[ambrola]

It also has this funny looking mandrel. I don't believe I've seen this before? I was going to put a 2,4 minute conversion on it but should I remove that mandrel?

[Andersun]

Looks original but someone may have put a solvent on the finish to try and clean it up. It looks a little bleached out. Keep the mandrel on it. It is a rare style grooved mandrel which has been seen on the very late suitcase Homes and Standards and on the early long case Homes like yours. What is the serial number of the Home? The grooved mandrel is discussed here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ed+mandrel

[rgordon939]

Nice machine Ronnie. Definitely a keeper. The finish looks original to me also.

Rich Gordon

[ambrola]

The serial number is 38919. It is on the plate and stamped on the ledge where the lift for the reproducer is. I also think someone tried to clean it. It looks like just the lid though.
Thanks Rich. You know how long I have been looking for one of these. The Lady that had it on auction said she had it for over 20 years. She had a Buy It Now for 750.00 free shipping and I offered her 600.00 and she said OK. The crank got broken in shipping and the horn is a repro, but the machine works great.

[rgordon939]

Congrats on finding it Ronnie.

Rich Gordon

[martinola]

I'm late to the party here. I'm pretty sure we are seeing an original finish with an original decal. It does appear that it has been over-coated with something (hopefully shellac). The giveaway would be the dark reddish parts on the lid. I suspect the finish was completely missing on those portions and darkened-up when it received the new coating. It actually presents way better in these photos than it did on ebay. I really wouldn't do more than keep it dusted and play some early gold moulded records on it. Very nice machine, Ronnie!

[Lucius1958]

What does the interior look like?

I certainly see some traces of green in the finish.

Bill

[ambrola]

What does the interior look like?

I certainly see some traces of green in the finish.

Bill

Hi Bill,
The bed plate is very worn. The gold stripes are almost gone. I hate to re-do t. I may just leave it as is. The really good thing is it runs great. One of those you can hardly hear running.