What happened here?

[estott]

Bizzare back mount disc machine on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-Wind-Up-Table ... 240%3A1308

Frankenphone, but a very strange one- the back bracket looks almost like it could be a period after-market device and the whole machine looks as if the modifications were done a very long time ago. Must have been a very nice Columbia at one time.

[Zeppy]

Well, someone had a wide variety of spare parts when they put that together...

Strange, strange combination of parts there.

[MordEth]

Must have been a very nice Columbia at one time.

It definitely looks as if it has seen better days. Certainly, it’s a machine for someone who wants a restoration project.

Certainly, no one can fault them for not providing enough pictures.

Also, to help present nicer eBay links, I added the [ebay] tag (see below to view it in action). You use it like: ‘[ebay]350156646869[/ebay]’, where ‘350156646869’ is the item number.

For posterity, I give you eBay Item #350156646869:

Early Table Phonograph with Horn & Crane - Working

Wind Up Disc Record Player with Crank

Edison, Victor, Victrola or Gramophone ???

Recent Estate Find Offered Without Reserve

Offered for your consideration is the Phonograph as shown.
The wood box that the player is in is 10.75" square and 6.5" tall.
The outside diameter of the horn is 20.5" in diameter.
Turntable is 10". It is not centered in the case.
The player winds up and operates nicely.
Under the "plastic" cover in the needle holder,
I can make out ‘Patented Nov ??, 1902‘ and the word ‘Pending’.
I can find no other identification as to the maker or make.
I know nothing of these players, so send your questions for prompt reply.

Condition:
Multiple Enlargeable Images Provided to Show Condition!

• Note warping of the lid - under the turntable.
• Light corrosion and solder repair on ferrous horn.
• Much of needle arm is non- ferrous - brass or bronze.
• The machine inside looks to be in terrific working condition.

Offered as Shown — As Found — Full Return Privileges (Minus Shipping Cost)
My Reputation as a Experienced, Honest eBay Seller Allows You to Bid with Confidence!
Please email for any specific questions: [email protected]

[estott]

OK- here's some input from Phono-L.

It seems that the case back bracket and arm started out as a Talk-O-Phone. The motor is Columbia.

In the words of Frankenstein's Monster: "WE......BELONG.......DEAD"

[MordEth]

In the words of Frankenstein's Monster: "WE......BELONG.......DEAD"

Hopefully it runs better than it looks!

They do say that it is in good working order when cranked...

— MordEth