Columbia Aluminum Horns

[Phonofreak]

When did Columbia come out with their Aluminum horns? I was looking through my Columbia Phonograph Companion by Howard Hazelcorn, to get info on the early AT. The early AT used listening tubes, a black Japanned funnel horn, or an aluminum one. When did the Aluminum one come out? I did not know they came out in 1898. Also, the AB had an Aluminum horn in 1901. Most of the Aluminum horns that I have seen have a 1905 date on them, but some didn't. I thought these horns first came out in 1904-05. Any idea when these first came out. Were the dated ones the same as the undated ones?
Harvey Kravitz

[Shawn]

Harvey,

I've looked at five Columbia Catalogs that I have reproduced - 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901.

• The 1897 was only accessories, with no machines, and had listening tubes, larger funnel horns (both brass and tin), the 14 inch funnel horn, and a 14 inch spun brass horn.
  
  The 1898 shows the AT with a hammered brass horn and a small supporting crane. In the catalog they sell spun brass, hammered brass, nickel, and japanned Tin horns.
  
  The 1899 shows the AT with listening tubes and a speaking tube. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, nickel, and japanned tin horns.
  
  The 1900 shows the AT with the 14" aluminum horn. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, gold and black, and japanned tin horns, nickel horn (10 inch and 13" - coin-op) and Aluminum (14")
  
  The 1901 shows the AT with the 14" aluminum horn. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, gold and black, and japanned tin horns, nickel horn (10 inch) and aluminum (14")

Obviously, this information is directional only. These catalogs were produced at a point in time, and accessories horns and even machines could have been available before and after the actual publishing of the specific catalog.

Hope that helps.

[Jerry B.]

Thanks Shawn. Jerry B.

[Phonofreak]

Shawn, Thanks for the information. It was very helpful. So the Aluminum horn came out around 1900. From what I can gather is the unmarked horns were from around 1900-04, and the later ones from 1905 onward. Is there any differences between the early and later ones in size and dimensions? The ones I have are unmarked. Thanks again for the info.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey,

I've looked at five Columbia Catalogs that I have reproduced - 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901.

• The 1897 was only accessories, with no machines, and had listening tubes, larger funnel horns (both brass and tin), the 14 inch funnel horn, and a 14 inch spun brass horn.
  
  The 1898 shows the AT with a hammered brass horn and a small supporting crane. In the catalog they sell spun brass, hammered brass, nickel, and japanned Tin horns.
  
  The 1899 shows the AT with listening tubes and a speaking tube. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, nickel, and japanned tin horns.
  
  The 1900 shows the AT with the 14" aluminum horn. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, gold and black, and japanned tin horns, nickel horn (10 inch and 13" - coin-op) and Aluminum (14")
  
  The 1901 shows the AT with the 14" aluminum horn. In the catalog they sell hammered brass, gold and black, and japanned tin horns, nickel horn (10 inch) and aluminum (14")

Obviously, this information is directional only. These catalogs were produced at a point in time, and accessories horns and even machines could have been available before and after the actual publishing of the specific catalog.

Hope that helps.