The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I may have correctly identified the UK Columbia open horn machine (which others thought was a Frankenphone) on another recent thread, but I certainly got this one wrong!

De Soto Frank wrote:Sometimes Columbia taxonomy is like trying to determine the heritage of a "rescue" pet from a shelter !

And I can't tell the difference between the Dachshund-Terrier mix and the Shepherd-Labrador! (Is there Beagle in there somewhere?)

alang wrote:My Royal/Oxford machine has a nearly identical motor, so I don't think it is European. The peacock type stamped metal horns were quite popular in Europe with many brands, but in the US I have only seen them with Columbia made machines.

Harvey Kravitz/Phonofreak focuses on Columbia client machines in his collection, so he should be able to provide a more authoritative answer to these questions.

Andreas

I hope he is able to join in the conversation. As was stated by Jerry in Torjazzers original post, "This is the Forum at its best."

Fran

epigramophone wrote:I may have correctly identified the UK Columbia open horn machine (which others thought was a Frankenphone) on another recent thread, but I certainly got this one wrong!

Don't feel bad... if they weren't one of the beginning brands of Talking Machine, and stayed in the game so long, they might qualify as an "off-brand", especially when it comes to their "client" production !


It's one of the aspects that makes the hobby interesting !

Harvey had a bit of surgery and he's not able to sign in on the Forum so I'm relaying his two cents worth. He says this machine is 100% correct and made between 1912 and 1915. Some of these machines had Columbia decals but the client machines could be labeled as Royal or perhaps a marking from a mail order business or even a smaller local store. Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:Harvey had a bit of surgery and he's not able to sign in on the Forum so I'm relaying his two cents worth. He says this machine is 100% correct and made between 1912 and 1915. Some of these machines had Columbia decals but the client machines could be labeled as Royal or perhaps a marking from a mail order business or even a smaller local store. Jerry Blais

Thank you, Jerry, and please give Harvey my best, and my sincere hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery!

Best,
Fran

Hi Folks,

I am the purchaser of this particular machine. I have not had an opportunity to spend more than a few minutes examining it, and have not even glanced at the motor, which I am told needs work. At first look, the machine appears to be all original, complete, and in excellent shape. The condition of the horn is remarkable. Glad I snagged it!

It is definitely a Columbia product and appears to be nearly identical to a Royal branded model. There is no name plate, no evidence there ever was, and the speed control is different than the Royal. The horn screws in like other Columbia products of that period. The reproducer has a mica diaphragm.

Once I tear into it, if I find anything interesting I will post again. BTW, I am fairly new to this forum and, other than a "part wanted" entry, this is my first post.

Thanks,
David

Welcome, David - to my discussion of your Columbia.

I hope you don't think I was too audacious by starting the thread, but I was really captivated by this little guy because of my personal appreciation for the styling of this type of horn.

I hope you stick around and participate in this, and other discussions, I need all the help I can get!

Fran

Here is an "Improved Royal" from an original undated Columbia sales brochure I have.

Clay