Show me your maroon Gems!

[Andersun]

I have 2 maroon Gems.

One is a Model E with N reproducer, 4 minute only (locked gears) with a one piece Fireside horn on it. It's one of my best playing machines!

The other is an ICS (International Correspondence School) Model E which has a C reproducer, 2 minute only (locked gears) and will only play 90 RPM cylinders typically for language study. It has a 2 piece Fireside horn on it. Note the mandrel pully is much larger than the regular Model E. The governor is set so you cannot speed it up to 160 RPM to play entertainment cylinders.

Both machines and horns are all original finish.

A side note that some may not know is that the serial number of the Gem D & E is stamped on the underside of the housing in the rear right corner along with being stamped on the nameplate and should match. It may also be true with other Gems but I just dont remember looking at the other Gems I have had before.

So far I have accumulated a list of survivng Gem Model Es and they are as follows...
354449
354585
354747
355683 (ICS)
355688 (ICS)
355870
355886
356176
356256 (this one is in the UK)
356328
356393 (ICS)
356569

Thanks!

[JerryVan]

What great examples! I never knew an ICS Model E was ever produced. Very cool! Also, the one-piece Fireside horn! I've only ever seen a one-piece, black, Gem horn. What a great thread this is

As an aside, in my hunt for a nice Model C, I was able to purchase an ICS version. For about 10 seconds I thought about replacing the mandrel, with its large ICS pulley, to make it a "regular" Model C. I then realized how special and cool it was to be an ICS version. I suspect that ICS language machines were like exercise equipment today; used for 1 week, then shoved into a corner. If so, it explains how really clean and nice my C is.

[KCW]

I cobbled my maroon GEM together with pieces off of eBay. It runs great, is 2/4 minute. I’ve got a K reproducer but currently there is an H in there. I’m not sophisticated enough to say what type of GEM it is beyond maroon! I need to refinish the lid sometime too! The crane is a reproduction but I think the horn is original. Looks like black underneath maroon, which I believe was how it may have been done at one point. The face of mine is unfortunately gouged up a bit and also the cover is a poorly matched reproduction (gear cover). Still, it’s a great little machine and it was very affordable due to its condition!

[TinfoilPhono]

That blue one is great! It kinda reminds me of a darker Pathé Parissiene machine, which were typically a very light blue.

Like George, I assume you are referring to the Pathé Gaulois, which was a copy of a Gem. The Gaulois came in a wide variety of colors. The gray Gaulois with a hint of blue is actually one of the scarcer styles.

[Ripduf1]

OK. This is a small flowered horn that I display on my red Gem. No crane required. JD

[phonogfp]

A side note that some may not know is that the serial number of the Gem D & E is stamped on the underside of the housing in the rear right corner along with being stamped on the nameplate and should match.

So far I have accumulated a list of survivng Gem Model Es and they are as follows...
354449
354585
354747
355683 (ICS)
355688 (ICS)
355870
355886
356176
356256 (this one is in the UK)
356328
356393 (ICS)
356569

Thanks!

Steve,

I never noticed the serial number stamped on the underside of any of my Gems, but now I'll need to look! And thanks for that list of confirmed Model E Gems. That list shows that Model D and Model E Gems were - at least briefly - being manufactured concurrently (as seen in Model D #354534 and Model E #354449). This also happened with other Edison styles during the last years of the external-horn era.

John, I love that little flowered horn!

George P.

[AmberolaAndy]

I would not like just a maroon Gem buy any type of Gem someday! I am also lacking in Firesides too.

[Sonicfeather]

Yes...I do confuse the Pathé models

[Sonicfeather]

Yes, the serials were stamped into the bottom.of the casting at one point. Here's mine

[Sonicfeather]

I would not like just a maroon Gem buy any type of Gem someday! I am also lacking in Firesides too.

Love those Firesides too! This one is a work in progress. The cabinet and lid were beaten up in shipping, so they are getting repaired and restored. The machine plays great though. I have to find lid latches and a handle for it.