Columbia fall-off cranks--original?

[jboger]

I've uploaded a picture of two Columbia cranks. Not sure the bottom is a genuine Columbia crank although it came with a first version AT. Prior to this crank, all Columbia cranks that I've seen have a bend in the arm like the top one. Not this one. Seems to be nickel-plated brass. Works perfectly fine on the AT.

Is it a genuine, correct for the period, Columbia crank?

[JerryVan]

I believe it's genuine.

[Jerry B.]

I agree...original.

Jerry B.

[jboger]

Thank you.

[Curt A]

I may be wrong, but I think the straight one is for a top wind AJ, similar to a Berliner crank...

[Menophanes]

My AT, which dates from the 'New York & Paris' period, has exactly the same crank as jboger's lower example.

I notice that this tends to brush against the ball of the right-hand lid-latch during winding. Was the bent-arm version perhaps introduced on later examples of this model in order to avoid this minor but irritating problem?

Oliver Mundy.

[phonogfp]

Yes, Oliver, you are correct.

The crank with the straight drop was used on earlier Graphophones such as the N, A, AN, and the very first ATs in the A cabinet.

George P.