The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Its amazing to see the Electrical Terminals exposed like that.
Nice machine.Thank you for showing it here.

I ran across something similar last year as a barn find in Tennessee. Mine is a Home model, of course electrified. I didn't know if it was original like that or someone added it. It appears all original and the electrical components look similar to this one. Can someone tell me more information about it? Thanks... John

ticticdoc,

I suspect your machine was modified by a handyman. If it was original I would expect to see a different on/off lever (Alva has an insulated lever) and no crank hole for starters. How about some good photos of your Home. I'd love to be wrong.

It was great to revisit this thread.

Jerry Blais

Here are a few pictures of my machine. It was a barn find in Tennessee and had to be restored. I always thought that someone put all of this together, but I'm not ruling out that it came from the factory this way. It came with a repeater, but I took it off and still have it. If some handyman did this, he did a fantastic job! It all fits perfectly and runs great! It has the original cloth covered wire, a on/off switch located in front of the mandrel (It's a round button in front of the mandrel) and a period Edison motor.I just don't believe a handyman assembled this and it was done at the factory.

Pictures

Pictures

From what I see of the serial number, the machine dates from early 1906. The Ekonowatt motor wasn't introduced until 1915, which rules out a factory modification. Whoever did the modification did a workmanlike job. If you provide the machine's serial number, the date of its sale by the National Phonograph Company to the jobber can be determined.

George P.

It does look like a fine machine and a conversion job well done. But you'd think 2/4 gearing would have been added. It's a puzzle. Thanks for the pics.

Jerry

Jerry B. wrote:It does look like a fine machine and a conversion job well done. But you'd think 2/4 gearing would have been added. It's a puzzle. Thanks for the pics.

Jerry

The 2/4 attachment would have required a special geared pulley to accommodate the repeater, which might explain why it wasn't done. We'll never know!

George P.

You guys share the coolest machines. Thanks!