The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello
I picked up these two horns rather inexpensively, and I am hoping to find out some information. The first horn looks like tour standard witches hat, but the horn part appears to be unpainted. I have never seen anything like it. I was hoping someone could tell me if this is a reproduction or original. It has no markings.
The second horn is a 10" conical horn painted in green. I am skeptical weather this is a horn or just an old funnel. The end is the right size however. Has anyone ever seen one of these?
Thanks for your help
Brad

The green cone looks like one of Karl Frick's 'freaks'. The 14" brass-bell horn is an unpainted reproduction from the last 30 years. They were a couple of dollars cheaper unpainted.

Thanks for the info. Now I am interested in the history behind Frick's Freaks parts. Would anyone happen to have any photos Frick's Freaks horns they would like to share?

Phononut, do you have a clearer picture of the second horn showing the seam between the brass bell and steel cone part?

That green horn reminds me of the phonograph pictured below- taken from the following thread: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=14378

Hi Player-Tone.
That is an interesting possibility I had not thought of. It could be from a toy phonograph, but then again the end does fit the end of a cylinder reproducer perfectly. One thing I forgot to mention is there is a slit cut at the end on the green horn.

Andersun,
I have included a clear photo of the seam. It looks to be soldered, with somewhat of a lack of attention to detail.

Thanks
Brad

Seeing more photos, the green horn is much too well-made to be Frick Freak.

I'm not convinced that your second horn is a reproduction.

The small end with the reduced diameter is part of the main cone and was rolled into it's shape. The reproduction horns have a tube soldered on.

The seam between the cone and brass flare is very smooth. Reproduction horns have an obtrusive joint made out of the steel cone part along the seam.

It looks like the soldiered seam was just a later repair job.

Hello Everyone
Hmm. This is very interesting. I had suspicions that this was an original horn, although that still does not explain the unpainted cone. The green horn is a mystery at this point. Thanks for all your help and if anyone else has any other insight I would love to hear it.

Brad

phononut wrote:although that still does not explain the unpainted cone.

The paint was probably removed before the repair was made. Can you see any remnants of black paint in the cracks or inside the cone? All the scratches on the steel cone look to be caused by steel wool........