Rare Horn for G&T Style 14 De Luxe on UK ebay

[Inigo]

I've always envied the States for the ease of getting these things, dangerous things, guns... And Oh gods...! That privilege of building your own car and going with it on the road with no legal problems!!!

[Dulcetto]

Whence this notion that it's from a Style 14? Dare I assume that someone looked at the picture on Page 36 of HMG and didn't bother to read the text beneath it?

Please dare to assume. That is, I suspect, exactly what has happened but I was keeping quiet about it. Allowing the belief that the use of the horn was limited. Actually I haven’t seen my HMG in 2 years but I think I know what it says.

Well " spotted " Jamie ! my intentions exactly -- subterfuge ? well some may say that -- but it seems to have worked ! no one on the forum challenged the assertion ( until Oedipus in his recent comment ) . I refer to Josh Billings ( 19th century American humorist ) " the trouble with most folks is not so much their ignorance but knowin' so many things which just ain't so ! " Never a truer statement as far as some people are concerned ! But what is intriguing to me is how did the seller of the horn get to think the same when he re-listed it ? Hmmm someone must have mentioned this forum thread to him I suspect Dulcetto

[Steve]

Whence this notion that it's from a Style 14? Dare I assume that someone looked at the picture on Page 36 of HMG and didn't bother to read the text beneath it?

Please dare to assume. That is, I suspect, exactly what has happened but I was keeping quiet about it. Allowing the belief that the use of the horn was limited. Actually I haven’t seen my HMG in 2 years but I think I know what it says.

Well " spotted " Jamie ! my intentions exactly -- subterfuge ? well some may say that -- but it seems to have worked ! no one on the forum challenged the assertion ( until Oedipus in his recent comment ) . I refer to Josh Billings ( 19th century American humorist ) " the trouble with most folks is not so much their ignorance but knowin' so many things which just ain't so ! " Never a truer statement as far as some people are concerned ! But what is intriguing to me is how did the seller of the horn get to think the same when he re-listed it ? Hmmm someone must have mentioned this forum thread to him I suspect Dulcetto

Or simply have told him what it is, possibly? I'm not quite sure why anyone would volunteer that information unless they have zero intention of buying it but perhaps own the same horn and want to hype the value of their own? As people from Yorkshire would say: "There's nowt as queer as folk!"

But, if the seller is following this thread I can't imagine he wouldn't have already revised the description to include other gramophone models suitable for taking this horn!

That and I hope it fails to sell, mate!

[Curt A]

IF anyone is actually interested in this horn, it is not too far gone to restore. The major corrosion has been removed and the horn is ready to be polished with a motor powered buffing wheel using different grades of jewelers rouge, like used on band instruments. It would take some effort, but definitely possible.

[JerryVan]

I'm left to wonder, why is it that this horn must be made to look perfect? It's not such a bad horn. Rare as it is, I'd love to have it sitting atop of one of my machines. Had the seller not been goaded into "polishing" it, it would presumably have even less damage. (Who ever thought this guy would be capable of a decent polishing job?) I realize that the seller's eccentricities and demands are a whole other issue. That would make this less desirable than having an imperfect horn. If it were to end up in my collection, it would be nicely cleaned, preserved and most likely used as-is.

[Steve]

IF anyone is actually interested in this horn, it is not too far gone to restore. The major corrosion has been removed and the horn is ready to be polished with a motor powered buffing wheel using different grades of jewelers rouge, like used on band instruments. It would take some effort, but definitely possible.

I'm not sure any corrosion has been removed let alone "major" corrosion. The use of power tools might be risky with such a huge unwieldy and delicate horn which will be dented easily.

[Steve]

I'm left to wonder, why is it that this horn must be made to look perfect? It's not such a bad horn. Rare as it is, I'd love to have it sitting atop of one of my machines. Had the seller not been goaded into "polishing" it, it would presumably have even less damage. (Who ever thought this guy would be capable of a decent polishing job?) I realize that the seller's eccentricities and demands are a whole other issue. That would make this less desirable than having an imperfect horn. If it were to end up in my collection, it would be nicely cleaned, preserved and most likely used as-is.

I agree that it's a personal preference whether it's polished or not. Personally I'd rather that it was polished.

As for the seller being goaded, a little perspective is needed here. One Japanese prospective buyer said he would make an offer if the seller polished it first.

[JerryVan]

I'm left to wonder, why is it that this horn must be made to look perfect? It's not such a bad horn. Rare as it is, I'd love to have it sitting atop of one of my machines. Had the seller not been goaded into "polishing" it, it would presumably have even less damage. (Who ever thought this guy would be capable of a decent polishing job?) I realize that the seller's eccentricities and demands are a whole other issue. That would make this less desirable than having an imperfect horn. If it were to end up in my collection, it would be nicely cleaned, preserved and most likely used as-is.

I agree that it's a personal preference whether it's polished or not. Personally I'd rather that it was polished.

As for the seller being goaded, a little perspective is needed here. One Japanese prospective buyer said he would make an offer if the seller polished it first.

Persuaded then...

[Steve]

I'm left to wonder, why is it that this horn must be made to look perfect? It's not such a bad horn. Rare as it is, I'd love to have it sitting atop of one of my machines. Had the seller not been goaded into "polishing" it, it would presumably have even less damage. (Who ever thought this guy would be capable of a decent polishing job?) I realize that the seller's eccentricities and demands are a whole other issue. That would make this less desirable than having an imperfect horn. If it were to end up in my collection, it would be nicely cleaned, preserved and most likely used as-is.

I agree that it's a personal preference whether it's polished or not. Personally I'd rather that it was polished.

As for the seller being goaded, a little perspective is needed here. One Japanese prospective buyer said he would make an offer if the seller polished it first.

Persuaded then...

Indeed, money talks. Or as Dylan once said "money doesn't talk, it swears"

[Curt A]

Steve:
"The use of power tools might be risky with such a huge unwieldy and delicate horn which will be dented easily."

This is not a problem, IF, you are experienced with using buffing wheels. However this is not something to try as your first time project. I have buffed a number of all brass horns and horn bells (not as many as John Duffy), but it can be done safely. The biggest issue is keeping it controlled, so it doesn't accidentally fly across the room...

And of course, there are various opinions on whether metal horns should be polished at all. Polishing off corrosion, rust and removing dents are (in my opinion) just removing signs of past abuse, which wouldn't be there from normal use, if cared for from the beginning. This is different from "patina" which develops as a result of normal handling over time.