Edison Spring Motor Phonograph Question!

[flashpanblue]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has a list of serial numbers for the Edison Spring motor Phonographs so I might be able to pin down when mine was made. I suspect that it was made late as it has the newer style carrage just like my 1901 Triumph model A. The serial number on my Spring Motor Phonograph is 28191. The ID plates reads Manufactured under the patents of Thomas A Edison at Orange N.J. U.S.A. The late date is 1898.
thanks
Pete

[phonogfp]

Pete,

I have monthly sales data for the Spring Motor/Triumph for 1897-1908. The problem is that the Spring Motor/Triumph did not start serially numbering from #1, but carried over into a new serial block once it was separated from the Class M/E, and the National Phonograph Company took over exclusive sales. From this data and from a specific machine's shipping information, I have extrapolated what I believe to be accurate dates-to-serial numbers. However, your Spring Motor doesn't fit into the serial block I would expect. Either I've screwed up somewhere, or your machine is an anomaly.

Could you post some photos of your Spring Motor? Including the motor?

George P.

[edisonphonoworks]

I have a 1901 Triumph and the SN is in the low thirty two thousands I am thinking late 1900 for yours, or it could have been made in 1900 and sold around 1901 and upgraded with a new carriage. Would love to see photos,.

[edisonphonoworks]

What I wonder, is how old the Triton motors in the machines are, or parts thereof? I wonder if the castings might not have been made in the late 1890s, and the motors used up until the end of the Triton motor about 1911??? Just curious.?

[flashpanblue]

Hi all,
I just had a look at the motor and the serial number on the casting is 7998. When I purchase the Phono it had the look of a machine that had not been touched in many decades. It was covered in grime. All the oil on the top work had hardened and there was a very old brown flash rust on part of the back rod. I used Go-Jo to clean off the upper works and was surprised to find that the gold pin stripping was 95% intact. I used fine steel wool on the back rod to remove the rust and polished it up. I soaked the mandrel shaft and pully in solvent to get the crud off. When I removed the motor from the bed plate it still had the original rubber mounting washers, although they had dissolved into blobs. I was able to find new rubber grommets at the hardware store that were a great fit. I have only seen two other Spring Motor Phonographs in person. They had a second I.D. plate on the lowerer bed plate that said Spring Motor Phonograph. My machine has a second I.D. plate but it is identical to the one on the upper works. I looked carefully underneath were it is attatched and there are no signs that it might have been replaced at some time.
I have taken pictures of the machine, but have never figured out how to post pictures on this forum. If someone can give me their email address I could forward them to you and perhaps you could post them up.
Pete

[Andersun]

I'm sure your machine is all original. I recorded some serial numbers in the past and one of them is 28166 with motor serial number 9913. It has the new style Triumph upper works and the nameplate you describe. I also recorded serial number 28295 which has motor serial number 7606.

I can post your pics this afternoon send them to [email protected]

[Andersun]

Here are photos of Pete's Edison Spring Motor....

[phonogfp]

I agree with Andersun - the machine appears to be entirely correct. I guess I'm back to the drawing board with my serials/dates for the Spring Motor/Triumph! The other models were so easy to figure out...

Thanks for the photos, Pete and Steve. Nice looking Spring Motor!

George P.

[Guest]

looks to be about the last of the spring motors, made, the swing arm on the right is like most model A triumphs, however, what shows that it is original is that my early model a does not have the raised serial number spot. I am thinking late 1900,early 1901, and I do not think it was upgraded either, that it was sold that way. Sincerely Shawn Borri