Edison cranes

[ChesterCheetah18]

Thank you George. That helps quite a bit. I gather that the bottom section if a horizontal mount would have less of a bend?

Steve

Actually, the lower rod for a horizontal carriage would be more "set back" than one for a 45-degree carriage. This is why we sometimes see installed Cygnet horns pointed upward or downward; an incorrect lower rod.

George P.

Thank you George. I meant to say more of a bend. Chalk it up to a long day. Thanks for clearing it up, and for the info. I have a much better understanding now.

Steve

[phonogfp]

Thank you George. I meant to say more of a bend. Chalk it up to a long day. Thanks for clearing it up, and for the info. I have a much better understanding now.

Steve

You're very welcome. Glad I could help.

Cranes need to be made as reproduction parts from time to time. I have lost parts of cranes twice -- once I found the part, the other time -- well, I am still looking. Non-collectors (heirs and those who happen on a phonograph) must misplace cranes which then get thrown away. Auction houses are in the habit of separating machines from horns and cranes. It must be a headache for buyers/bidders.

Absolutely. Cranes are commonly separated from their machines by those who know no better.

I once attended a house sale where I bought a Type AG Graphophone, 17 Columbia Grand Records, a 54-inch brass horn, the Reproducer and Recorder in original boxes, and even some original paperwork. All this had been kept together for many, many, many years. But where was the crane? I found it (a floor stand, of course) in a mud room, labeled "Bird cage stand" for $7. We collectors are seldom so lucky to dig out original cranes before they're permanently separated from their original machines.

George P.

[JerryVan]

Has anybody made reproductions of all four variants?

And have reproductions ever been machined to the same quality as originals? The two repros I have owned were both a little crude -- they show some filing in the slots, and the slots are not quite perpendicular to the bend.

I believe Ron Sitko sold/reproduced all 4 variants.

Were they the same quality as originals? Not quite. The fork at the top was never exactly correct, neither was the hanger screw and thumb nut. I believe the horizontal tab, at the top, was a separate, brazed-on piece, instead of being a bent over and swaged flat part of the crane rod.