The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Given my knowledge of Montana and the people who live there, it would not surprise me a bit if a common household item ended up being shot. I've got a Columbia AT that I was told was shot (no idea if anybody died). It certainly looks like bullet damage. Maybe you could start a collection of phono items with bullet holes/damage...

Good stories = good display items!

This Decca wears it's battle scars with pride :

No, I'd probably use the holes to somehow mount it as a light shade or ceiling light.
As a ceiling light it would likely hang at an angle, so perhaps it could be used to spotlight a Columbia with the same horn.
When other collector's were shocked that you used such a nice horn as a light, then I'd tell them the gunfight tale.

If at some stage I found a hornless Columbia this one suited, then I'd put it into service as a horn until a better example came along.
No matter what machine you used this horn on, a potential buyer is always going to think it should be replaced unless some sort of proof was available this horn had an authentic claim to fame, and it wasn't done by some kid with a BB gun.

Without such proof it's no more believable than saying because a horn had a crucifix etched into it that it belonged to the pope.

epigramophone wrote:This Decca wears it's battle scars with pride :

https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/the-g ... diered-on/

The fact that the entry hole is about 7/16" tells me it was shot with something of around .44 or .45 caliber; the .44-40 and the .45 Colt are two iconic firearms calibers of the American West.

Just saying...

Not everything in our collections has to be perfect.

https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/the-g ... diered-on/

Thanks, a very interesting read. Jerry

Jerry B. wrote:

https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/the-g ... diered-on/

Thanks, a very interesting read. Jerry

Check out these other great stories not gramophones though

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=44588

With a story like that I'd have that horn on my BKT in a heartbeat, even without the story, I love the nickel columbia horns, they're very attractive I think!

Years ago I bought a Keenophone with the wood horn on top that had been shot by the owner trying to rid himself of raccoons. The cabinet required refinishing so I repaired and disguised the damage at that time. I sold it to a collector in Georgia who in turn sold it to Nick Monios from California. It showed up at Stanton's auction this last time and I think it was sold to Larry Nelson (ticktalk) from Missouri. Larry was that you who bought the Keenophone with the wood horn on top?

Bill Shawver sold me the nickel horn for $75 after telling me about it being involved in a shooting. I have a good imagination and here's what I wrote. It is marked "gunshot nickel horn with story purchased from Bill Shawver in 2009 with my embellishments."


Killing at Poplar Grove

On October 31st, 1908, at the Best Chance Saloon in Poplar Grove, Montana, a man by the name of Hank Calverson was killed by a single gunshot. The shot was fired by another local man by the name of Billie Milner. Numerous saloon patrons confirmed the shot was fired by "Blind Billie." He was known by "Blind Billie" because of the thick eyeglasses he wore. On that evening, Blind Billie was involved in a game of faro and was in a foul disposition from a combination of gambling losses and too much drink. After one losing hand, he demanded that the bartender silence the talking machine. When that was not done immediately, Blind Billie fired his revolver at the source of the offending noise. The single shot passed through the horn and struck Hank Calverson. The shot was fatal. Milner claimed the death was accidental but he was tried for murder. A week prior to the shooting, Milner and Calverson were seen in a bitter argument. The disagreement was over a local dancer and working girl by the name of Tillie Parker. Both young men enjoyed the ladies and Hank Calverson was known as "Handsome Hank" to the local female population. The prosecution made passionate claims that the killing was motivated by jealous rage. The jury could not agree on a verdict and a mistrial was declared. Billie Milner soon left Poplar Grove and was not seen again.


Jerry Blais (fiction writer