The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The mass-produced Swiss boxes of the late 1800's/early-1900's are referred to as 'cartel boxes'. Certain manufacturers specialized in certain parts -- one may have a way to cheaply manufacture the cylinders; another, the governor; another, the combs. Thus parts from several manufacturers were assembled into one box to hold down costs which enabled the Swiss to flood the market with well-made, profitable music boxes. They did the same thing a few years later with watches.