The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Harvey, how many versions of the "Oxford" did Sears sell? Weren't they in cylinder format as well and made by Columbia? Jerry

Jerry, I guess about 7 or 8. The basic one is the one shown in this thread. The fanciest one used a large Mahogany case, three spring motor, swiveling elbow, and a 12 " turntable. Also, a large Mahogany horn. This was to compete with the Victor VI. I have seen more Victor VI, than this Oxford. The Oxford cylinder machines were made by Columbia. There was the BV, BVT, and a version of the BK/BKT. The BK/BKT version used a case similar to the BV, but larger. That was to accommodate the larger 2 spring motor. The larger Oxford version was also a 2/4 min. like the BKT. Later on, the BE/BET, BF/BFT, BG/BGT was also an Oxford, but there was no decal on the case. I believe these were obsolete by Columbia, and sold through Sears to clear them out. Also, these were either 2 or 2/4 min. machines.
Harvey Kravitz

Jerry B. wrote:Harvey, how many versions of the "Oxford" did Sears sell? Weren't they in cylinder format as well and made by Columbia? Jerry

What they have "repaired' the horn in the elbow with looks like the foaming action of Gorilla glue.

Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

The machine looks straight except the horn. It looks like a Standard A horn or columbia horn. It looks like the horn is glued into the back mount, so the horn to me would be suspect.

Here is the Oxford Ad:

And more information can be found on the Intertique website here: https://www.intertique.com/MailOrderMysteries.htm. I do not know the gentleman who created the Intertique website but it is a very good resource for information and I thank him. Ditto for the Victo-Victrola website.

By the way, see if you can talk the seller down below $9.45, I mean, it's used and been repaired after all.