Class M Restoration

[phonohound]

Just a question. If I recall, the top is from a Keller Automatic coin-op phonograph, which would date these works to approximately 1890 from the North American Phonograph Co. era and not the National Phonograph Co. If this is true, wouldn't the case be mahogany with a recessed area for the swarf drawer? I thought all National cases were of the flat-front variety, whether in oak or mahognay, which would mean this case is later than the top (circa 1894 or later)

Could the previous owner have taken a later case and added this top or was there any possiblity the machine could have left the factory this way?

Perhaps this machine was put together from a Keller Automatic chassis and then mated with the later case.

[Starkton]

Could the previous owner have taken a later case and added this top or was there any possiblity the machine could have left the factory this way?

In an earlier answer in this thread I dated the topworks after late April 1893. I have no doubt that the case is authentic.

The "Sold For Use Only in the United States and Canada" plate was attached to phonographs from late April 1893. (Alfred Ord Tate to Edison United Phonograph Co., April 21, 1893, TAED D9343ABJ)

[Andersun]

Just a question. If I recall, the top is from a Keller Automatic coin-op phonograph, which would date these works to approximately 1890 from the North American Phonograph Co. era and not the National Phonograph Co. If this is true, wouldn't the case be mahogany with a recessed area for the swarf drawer? I thought all National cases were of the flat-front variety, whether in oak or mahognay, which would mean this case is later than the top (circa 1894 or later)

Could the previous owner have taken a later case and added this top or was there any possiblity the machine could have left the factory this way?

Perhaps this machine was put together from a Keller Automatic chassis and then mated with the later case.

This Class M came with a screwed on base made of oak (see pics) which with the turn of a square shaped key in front, would lock it into some other piece of furniture. This feature would be ideal for a coin op because they would be moved around. The patent drawing on the Keller coin op device is dated 1894 and this style Class M was around 1896 so I don't see any reason to believe that the whole machine and case were mounted in a Keller machine.

Steve

[phonohound]

Thank you for the clarification.

[Andersun]

Here are pictures of the final product! Brought case to the person who finished my Amberola 1A. He used cinnamon stain slightly darkened to match original almost exactly. Built up with lacquer. I then utilized some newly learned photography methods to make it pop!

[Starkton]

The optical result is much better than before. Did he apply shellac or modern lacquer?

My only point of criticism is that, originally, the case color matched the small, reddish-brown wooden plate under the governor. It looks a bit out of place now.

[phonogfp]

Very, very nice!

The wooden insulation block on the bedplate is mahogany, so it shouldn't really match the oak cabinet. I wouldn't worry about it, but if it bothers you, simply remove the insulation block and work on that. As I said, it wouldn't bother me unless it's redder than your new images suggest. The older "before" shots make the insulation block appear more brown.

Nice Class M - - you really brought that one back!

George P.

[Starkton]

I wouldn't worry about it, but if it bothers you, simply remove the insulation block and work on that.

I didn't mean that! Please don't change the insulation block!!

[Andersun]

The optical result is much better than before. Did he apply shellac or modern lacquer?

My only point of criticism is that, originally, the case color matched the small, reddish-brown wooden plate under the governor. It looks a bit out of place now.

No, it never matched the wood block under the governor as I have the original piece of the side of the machine. As George commented, the block is mahogany. Lacquer was applied.

The block is not as red as some of the areas show. That is light reflection

Thanks for all your comments.

[Starkton]

No, it never matched the wood block under the governor as I have the original piece of the side of the machine.

I think I was fooled by your "before" photos which suggest that the color of the insulation block and the case match:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/downlo ... &mode=view