Early Victor plunger brake

[MikeB]

I've picked up an early Victor E front mount machine, SN#18128. It has this unusual plunger style brake, which I've never seen before. Did this type of brake pre-date the bullet brake, or were they used concurrently?

Thanks - Mike

[Inigo]

Don't know, but it seems that the cannon brake uses parts of this one, and this maybe it's an evolution of this plunger. The cannon brake has this same plunger, mounted on top of an auxiliary plate with the cannon lever.

[gramophone78]

I've picked up an early Victor E front mount machine, SN#18128. It has this unusual plunger style brake, which I've never seen before. Did this type of brake pre-date the bullet brake, or were they used concurrently?

Thanks - Mike

Yes this type of brake was introduced by Victor in order for an owner to play the newly available 10 inch records and still be able to utilize a brake. Previous brake designs hindered the use of the now larger, more popular discs and had to be removed in order for the owner to use the machine (sans brake). The later bullet brake was then introduced and used for many years forward.

[phonogfp]

Yes this type of brake was introduced by Victor in order for an owner to play the newly available 8 & 10 inch records and still be able to utilize a brake. Previous brake designs hindered the use of the now larger, more popular discs and had to be removed in order for the owner to use the machine (sans brake). The later bullet brake was then introduced and used for many years forward.

Just to clarify, this transitional brake was meant to accommodate the 10 inch records. The 8 inch records didn't appear until May 1906; long after this transitional brake had disappeared. I doubt if this transitional brake was still around for the 14 inch and 12 inch discs.

George P.

[gramophone78]

Yes this type of brake was introduced by Victor in order for an owner to play the newly available 8 & 10 inch records and still be able to utilize a brake. Previous brake designs hindered the use of the now larger, more popular discs and had to be removed in order for the owner to use the machine (sans brake). The later bullet brake was then introduced and used for many years forward.

Just to clarify, this transitional brake was meant to accommodate the 10 inch records. The 8 inch records didn't appear until May 1906; long after this transitional brake had disappeared. I doubt if this transitional brake was still around for the 14 inch and 12 inch discs.

George P.

Thanks George, my post now corrected .

[MikeB]

Thank you!