Mysterious Columbia accessory

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Zenger
Victor II
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:50 pm

Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by Zenger »

Greetings. The pictured, uh, *thing* was in the bottom drawer of my Columbia Grafonola Nonpareil (early style) when I found it at a junk shop a while back, and I have been unable to figure out what it is, much less how to use it. As you can see, it's stamped "Columbia," so I assume the original owner bought it at the dealership at the time they purchased the machine (c. 1911) or shortly thereafter. The upright rod with base plate swivels around 360 degrees. If anyone can tell me more about this mysterious accessory (if it was an accessory), or even share some theories, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
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Dave D
Victor IV
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Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by Dave D »

It's a brake.
Dave D

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Inigo
Victor Monarch
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Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by Inigo »

One of those semiautomatic brakes that you set before playing the record, then at the end the tonearm touches the vertical post which triggers the brake.
Inigo

Zenger
Victor II
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:50 pm

Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by Zenger »

Thank you both. This seems like an odd thing for someone to have bought for a Nonpareil, as I imagine they weren't introduced until later. And I can't tell how one of these would be installed on my machine. Any thoughts?

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DanP58
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Location: Hasbrouck Heights NJ

Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by DanP58 »

I have in the box with the directions, see pictures attached.Hope it helps.
Dan
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DanP58
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Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by DanP58 »

Your welcome

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DanP58
Victor II
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:04 pm
Location: Hasbrouck Heights NJ

Re: Mysterious Columbia accessory

Post by DanP58 »

Oops replied to wrong thread

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