Columbia Model ID

[Fonotone]

BV/BVT machines have nickel plated bed plates.

Chuck

They do indeed. I was paying so much attention to the tree that I overlooked the forest.

-- Grant

[danohallaron]

Thank you kindly. Mystery solved. Dan

[danohallaron]

You have the Oxford Model WM version of a BKT sold by Sears. It shouldn't have a banner decal. It's the last version of the BK chassis as it has the serial number stamped on that raised boss at the rear of the chassis, serial number should be in high 80,000's

BV/BVT machines have nickel plated bed plates.

Chuck

Thank you.

[danohallaron]

The cabinet and tone arm do look a bit odd, but the machine itself is definitely a BK and not a BV. I'm kind of thinking that a BK works has been fitted into a BV cabinet. See how the top of the cabinet has been modified along the front & rear moldings to accept the larger BK top plate.

Screenshot 2023-12-17 183945.png

Wow. Thanks for pointing out the modification. And guess what?? The one that I found on Worthpoint, which is NOT the one I have, ALSO has the case cut out in the very same manner. How strange! So this looks legit except for the banner, which you can see is missing from the Worthpoint one (pic below).

[ChuckA]

The Oxford model seems to have used a BV cabinet. The cabinet size between a BV/BVT is very slight less than ½" larger, I doubt they had a cabinet made for that model, more like it's just a different run of BV cabinets that was used. (only a guess)

Chuck

[JerryVan]

The cabinet and tone arm do look a bit odd, but the machine itself is definitely a BK and not a BV. I'm kind of thinking that a BK works has been fitted into a BV cabinet. See how the top of the cabinet has been modified along the front & rear moldings to accept the larger BK top plate.

Screenshot 2023-12-17 183945.png

Wow. Thanks for pointing out the modification. And guess what?? The one that I found on Worthpoint, which is NOT the one I have, ALSO has the case cut out in the very same manner. How strange! So this looks legit except for the banner, which you can see is missing from the Worthpoint one (pic below).1_2559a9b20d8ccb412230b2e11f28c8e1.jpg

Agreed that it does look legit! Interesting stuff!

[danohallaron]

Waterslide banner removed (fortunately it was right on top of the finish). Cataloged as Oxford Model WM, by Columbia and added to the herd. Thanks to all for solving this. I was really hoping it was not a frankenphono.

[JerryVan]

Waterslide banner removed...

Well done! Looks great!

[TinfoilPhono]

Very nice find, and certainly unusual. It looks a lot better without the decal!

[danohallaron]

Closing the book on this research. Courtesy of Noteworthy News Archives, 1909 Sears Catalog and Intertique the final ID is "Oxford Tone Arm Cylinder Machine, type GH" (with WM being the 2/4 minute version).

Type: Oxford tone arm cylinder machine, type GH
Introduced: Spring, 1909. Discontinued: Fall, 1914.
Price: $18.
Comments: Essentially a Columbia BKT in a slightly smaller, plain square oak case, at $18 the Oxford sold for almost half the price of the name branded Graphophone. A version with four minute gearing was designated the WM.