Identifying Columbia gramophone.

[epigramophone]

Interesting to see that both 220's pictured have brown cases. All the others I have seen, including my own, are very dark blue.

The tonearm on mine is steel and the plating is badly pitted, spoiling what is otherwise a presentable example, although it will never look as good as Barry's .

My preferred option is to obtain a replacement tonearm in better condition, as replating would show up all the other components, but the 220 uses a shorter version of the Plano-Reflex than most other Columbia models which is harder to find.

[Phono48]

Interesting to see that both 220's pictured have brown cases. All the others I have seen, including my own, are very dark blue.

I've seen four, including mine, and they've all been in brown! I'd love to see a blue one. Any chance of a picture?

[canyr]

Here's another pic from the same machine as in my first post. On closer inspection, it does indeed seem to bear the 220 model number.

[epigramophone]

Interesting to see that both 220's pictured have brown cases. All the others I have seen, including my own, are very dark blue.

I've seen four, including mine, and they've all been in brown! I'd love to see a blue one. Any chance of a picture?

Here is my blue 220 Serial No.5718 alongside it's cousin the 113a.

The 113a was an Anglicised version of the American Model 161 and was fitted with a British made Garrard double spring motor. It was catalogued in the UK at £10.10.0d, more than twice the cost of the standard 112a portable.

The 220 was an overseas model not catalogued in the UK. Mine is a well travelled example, which probably explains it's less than pristine condition. It came to me with a matching dark blue Columbia record carrying case bearing the label of Alfred Holt & Company of Liverpool, agents for the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company. A second customs label shows that that the record case had been opened and then sealed, but where this took place is not clear. Hopefully all it was carrying was records!

If only it could talk!

[Marco Gilardetti]

Now it's my turn: I thought that all turntable velvet pads on the 113a were blue!

What really puzzles me is what you said about the plano-reflex tonearm of the 220 being shorter than usual... I would swear that Columbia thought to use for it the same machinery they used for their British or American standard production. It wouldn't make much sense to engineer a completely new tonearm for a gramophone that is basically a mix of other existing machines. Did you also compare it with the tonearms of the 100 or 109a models, perhaps? (I ignore if they are a bit shorter than that of the 112a)

[Phono48]

I thought that all turntable velvet pads on the 113a were blue!

They are blue, but a very pale shade, and have usually faded to grey.

[Phono48]

Here is my blue 220 Serial No.5718 alongside it's cousin the 113a.

Wow, I want one! Thanks for posting that, now I have something else to hunt for.

One thing I noticed, however, is that on your 220, at some time in the past someone has fitted the lid clasps upside down! I have never, ever seen a Columbia machine that had the main part of the clasp on the bottom half of the case. The clasps were always "upside down". I think this was done so that when winding, if the main part was attached to the bottom part of the case, there was a danger of catching your knuckles on the protruding spring clip. Even on the 204 and the 206, where there was no such danger, they were still fitted upside down.

Barry

[epigramophone]

Here is my blue 220 Serial No.5718 alongside it's cousin the 113a.

Wow, I want one! Thanks for posting that, now I have something else to hunt for.

One thing I noticed, however, is that on your 220, at some time in the past someone has fitted the lid clasps upside down! I have never, ever seen a Columbia machine that had the main part of the clasp on the bottom half of the case. The clasps were always "upside down". I think this was done so that when winding, if the main part was attached to the bottom part of the case, there was a danger of catching your knuckles on the protruding spring clip. Even on the 204 and the 206, where there was no such danger, they were still fitted upside down.

Barry

That makes perfect sense, and a few minutes with a screwdriver will sort it out.

A 113a should not be too hard to find. They seem to turn up more frequently than the 220. My 113a was a CLPGS auction purchase, and my 220 was courtesy of eBay some years ago.

Roger.

[Phono48]

It's not the 113A I'm lusting after, Roger, I already have two. No, it's that 220 in blue I'll be searching for!

Barry