Is this an Oxford?

[MikeB]

I got this front mount parts machine and needed to identify. The label inside identifies it as a Type BW. Is this a Columbia/Oxford machine that was sold through catalogues? It resembles a Standard in many ways.

Thanks.

[Jerry B.]

Wasn't "Oxford" used by Sears to name their client machines? I believe "Oxford" or "Oxford Junior" was used for both cylinder machines made by Columbia and disc machines made by Zonophone. Your cabinet looks like a Talk-O-Phone cabinet. I believe Talk-O-Phone assets were acquired by Columbia as a result of a legal settlement. I bet your cabinet was part of that settlement. It would have been simple to drill a new cabinet and fill it with unmarked Columbia hardware and sold to Sears.

Jerry B.

[Phono-Phan]

Are there any markings behind the reproducer diaphragm?

[MikeB]

Thanks, Jerry. Yes, it does look like a Talk-o-phone cabinet. I had not thought of that.

As I remember, the reproducer looks like a plain unmarked Columbia long-throat, like those I think I've seen on Standard machines. It's filthy, though, so I will have another look at it in case I've missed something.

I found a machine referenced as a BW Oxford, but not the same machine:
https://www.intertique.com/BWOxfordID.html

[Jerry B.]

Here's a similar machine from my collection. It looks like a similar cabinet but finished as a rear mount unmarked client machine.

Jerry B.

[zonophpones7]

It is a Talk-o-phone Brooke cabinet with Columbia motor, tone arm and reproducer. After Columbia used them out of existence I believe they got all of the assets, including unused cabinets...cabinets... so the. Option of being a client machine makes sense to me.
Gregg