Original Victor horn or an after market horn. Your choice!

[Uncle Vanya]

I must admit that I dream of owning a Wilson Papier Mache accessory horn, the audiophile horn made for use on Victor or HMV machines of the late "twenties.

[schweg]

Jerry, Thanks! There,was lots of phono stuff at this auction, mostly parts machines but a fair number of collectors. There were even more radios and lots of spirited bidding. I spotted this poor thing and it received very little attention and only 1 bidder besides myself.

To answer your ques: no sign of a decal and does not appear to have been repainted. I measured 24" tall and 17" across the bell so pretty close to what you described. The "attachment" metal ring on the small end sure looks right for a Victor so I grabbed it. The metal reinforcing ring at the bell end is about ½ way out but there are really no big chunks missing.

Steve

[Jerry B.]

I personally like the after market horns. A nice horn can turn an ordinary Vic II into something interesting. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a nice Victor horn and have several with machines in my collection. When I consider a purchase, I ask myself if the item adds interest to my collection. If it does and the price is OK, I go for it.

On the other hand... when I go to Union or CAPS, I frequently have machines that appeal to a newer collector. I get the impression that the collector buying his/her first Victor horn machine would prefer the Victor horn.

Jerry Blais

[Valecnik]

Jerry,

That's an easy one for me: the aftermarket horn. Much rarer, and more interesting than the stock Victor horns that exist by the thousand.

One exception for me would be the Victor 24B (brass flower horn). That's a great-looking horn and rare as well. On a Victor VI, the 24B would be my first choice, followed by the black flower horn that temporarily replaced the fiber horn (on an early 6 of course); then the fiber horn (again, on an early example); then an aftermarket horn in wood or metal; and finally the typical Victor No.31 mahogany horn. Outside the interesting horn possibilities, Victor sixes don't interest me much.

Back to the aftermarket horns; I do have a red Searchlight Company horn that appeared in Antique Phonograph Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks. I don't have it mounted on a Victor because it's just too ugly, so some exceptions exist to my general opinion above...

George P.

George,

We are in general agreement about the order of preference for early Victor 6, horns. There were also variants in the fiber horns too. Some were orange in the inside. Was there not also a wood grained brass bell horn for the 6? Thought I saw it in one of your books.

I definitely agree with you on the searchlight horns. Ugh! Sorry Jerry

[phonogfp]

Was there not also a wood grained brass bell horn for the 6? Thought I saw it in one of your books.

Oops - it's funny; I thought of that wood-grained brass bell horn, but by the time my fingers (make that "finger")caught up, I had forgotten it! Okay - make that mahogany-grained brass belled horn Number Two on my wish list - right behind the 24B but before the fiber horn. I've never seen a Victor 6 fiber horn with an orange interior. Seems like it would clash with the mahogany!

George P.

[Valecnik]

Was there not also a wood grained brass bell horn for the 6? Thought I saw it in one of your books.

Oops - it's funny; I thought of that wood-grained brass bell horn, but by the time my fingers (make that "finger")caught up, I had forgotten it! Okay - make that mahogany-grained brass belled horn Number Two on my wish list - right behind the 24B but before the fiber horn. I've never seen a Victor 6 fiber horn with an orange interior. Seems like it would clash with the mahogany!

George P.

Somebody had this one for sale some years back and sent me some pictures. I cannot remember who. Do you think it's legit? Note no decal. I saw a horn with similar coloring inside at Union this year. I think Ron Haring had it for sale. I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one more. I assumed they were another variant made by Victor. I could be wrong though, as my wife frequently remindes me!

[phonogfp]

Bruce,

Very nice looking horn. I've seen a number of these "Kyoto Horns" with red or orange interiors like this one - but not on a VI until now. As long as the elbow is original (and it looks either gold-plated or brass), it seems not only legit, but appropriate for the VI as well. These horns were available separately, so even if machine didn't come from the dealer this way, the customer could have configured it so. Thanks for sharing this - -

George P.

[gramophone78]

That's a great question.I like the 24B horn and I also like a nice "clean" H&S horn on a Victor.Based on these pics..........you choose!!!!

[EdiBrunsVic]

I would like to own a Victor external horn phonograph with an original Victor horn. If there is a tally being taken, this is my choice. I am looking for a phonograph of this kind and hope to find one at the CAPS show in August.