The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonogfp wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 2:58 pm A very nice example of an earlier Edison Spring Motor!

It's difficult to date these as specifically as the Gems, Standards, and Homes, but yours can be dated with confidence to 1897; probably the latter half. Your machine's motor should have spherical governor weights and spoked gears - signs of the U.S. Phonograph Company motor.

Thanks for posting!

George P.

Merci George

Aristophane wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 6:44 am

Andersun wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 4:37 pm That's a beauty! Has an Emerson clip on it too. What's all in the drawer? I see a screw driver....

Thanks, not sure what is an Emerson clip? There are 3 screw driver in the drawer. Not sure about the paper because it's a bit worn. I will look at it and let you know

The Emerson clip is the "question mark" shaped clip that retains the reproducer. I believe it's the far less common style.

You're welcome!

I happen to own Spring Motor #24319 - - just 101 machines after yours.

George P.

phonogfp wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:10 am You're welcome!

I happen to own Spring Motor #24319 - - just 101 machines after yours.

George P.

Mine is 24380. Maybe yours and mine knew each other at the factory

Welcome to the forum! That's a beautiful machine--thanks for sharing it, and congratulations on becoming its proud owner!

Thanks, too, for your kind offer of information about French machines. Although several European members here have generously shared valuable insights and experience over the years, information about the French side of Pathé is not easy to find on this side of the Atlantic, and I'll hope we can all learn more from someone in the company's home territory.

JerryVan wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:14 am Mine is 24380. Maybe yours and mine knew each other at the factory

Maybe, but the Spring Motor was a slow-moving machine at that time. Selling 60 of them may have taken a couple of months!

George P.