The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The AK came in 2 styles. I don't have a picture of the first style. They were made from about 1902-4. That later style you have was made from about 1904-8. The one that zwebie shown illustrates what you need to complete your machine.
Harvey Kravitz

Turruz: in what time was produced the AK model? From ??? to 1908 ??[/quote]

This version was begun in 1903.

I just picked up this Columbia AK and am wondering if the metal tone arm is correct. Columbia Phonograph Companion II page 74 says this is the 2nd style of the AK, and the 2nd version of this style with the cast iron bedplate. But, it also says that both versions had an embossed wood tone arm. Yet, the photos I'm finding here and elsewhere on the internet show this metal tone arm. Does anyone know if I need to be looking for a wood tone arm?

Good luck finding any original horn support arms for this machine...

Curt A wrote:Good luck finding any original horn support arms for this machine...

Are you saying that the metal parts are incorrect? If so, does anyone make repro wood arms?

phono-farm wrote: Are you saying that the metal parts are incorrect? If so, does anyone make repro wood arms?

The Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog No.114 (1904) shows this model AK equipped with aluminum support and traveling arms (as shown in the photo above), and this is specified in the written catalog description as well.

George P.

phonogfp wrote:

phono-farm wrote: Are you saying that the metal parts are incorrect? If so, does anyone make repro wood arms?

The Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog No.114 (1904) shows this model AK equipped with aluminum support and traveling arms (as shown in the photo above), and this is specified in the written catalog description as well.

George P.

Thanks! That's good news. Now I don't have to go looking for another difficult-to-find part!

Greg

Another question. The screw-on crank that came with this Columbia AK protrudes quite a ways out of the cabinet. Is this the correct crank? If not, what size would the correct one be, and what would this crank that I have fit?

Some of the later production examples of earlier models (such as the AK) were supplied with seemingly long cranks to allow winding while 10" and 12" discs were playing. They can look odd, but with a 7" turntable and small cabinet, that was the best expedient to keep these early designs "up to date" for a few years.

George P.

I think this is the older style case. Am I correct?

Paul