Aftermarket conversion - What to do? What to do?

[john9ten]

I'd like the group's opinion on something. A friend of mine was at a local flea market the other day and happened upon parts for a Columbia BKT, which is the 2 minute BK Jewel phonograph with a tonearm and back mounted horn. He wants me to sell the pieces for him. If I were to buy them, I could get a BK cabinet and restore it, OR I could retrofit my Columbia BE, which has an impressive looking cabinet and which was also available as a tonearm model. So should I refit the machine I have and add the back bracket? Was that a legitimate aftermarket choice? Here are pics of the parts. They need a good cleaning, and parts of the motor may be beyond restoration. I'd like to see my BE with the assembly...
Also, what would you estimate the value of the horn, bacl bracket and tonearm assembly at?
Thanks!

[estott]

It would bother me to drill holes into a BE case that never had any. At best you have a marriage (even if it is a happy one) and a damaged case.

[USlakeside]

Agreed. Also you create something that can fool an inexperienced collector down the line. And didn't the factory place the decals in different spots when the cases came issued with a back bracket?

[john9ten]

Good responses. My BE has a beautiful Exposition decal on the back so I decided against it. But if it were an aftermarket option I wouldn't be against doing it. As long as it is an authentic option, that is.