The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

And for whatever it's worth, Home No.4090 also employs single-screw clamps. (Click on image twice to enlarge.)

George P.

It's fascinating to see how much variation there is among early machines. As has been before, all evidence would imply that parts were assembled, stamped, and shelved. When later pulled for final assembly the earliest numbers were not necessarily the first to be assembled and shipped.

I had a Standard with serial number in the 200s; it had a gear cover, which early machines were not supposed to have. My 393 has no cover.

The early Home I had still had the original Standard Speaker (as does my Standard) but the mounting brackets were the earlier Class M design with four knurled screws.

My Amberola 1A has a lyre grill but the serial number (motor, tag, and inside of the cabinet) are over 1000, way beyond the 500 claimed for that grill style.

Sure can make it confusing at times, at least on some of the finer details!

TinfoilPhono wrote:My early Standard (#393) also has reproducer clamps held by a single screw for each.

My early Squarebox Standard No.489 has the two screw clips, and since had the original mandrel refitted.

Here are two of my Standard Suitcases. Serial #3152 has no holes for the gear cover and has the single screw clips. Shortly after this the gear cover was added. Serial #42869 was at the very end of the Suitcase production and came with an Automatic reproducer #207352 that has a weight block and limit pin. This late Automatic reproducer is seldom seen.

Rich Gordon