The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently acquired a Columbia BVT and am finding information about this machine to be rather scarce. The examples that I have seen so far show a somewhat different connection between the reproducer and tone arm. The black tone arm on my machine is cast iron and all the other elbows etc. are cast brass. The number 9663 is stamped into the bedplate. The horn also is not the one usually shown on BVTs. I was wondering where this machine fits in the production of these type machines. Any information would be appreciated.

Dan Z.

What a pretty machine! I hope to add a back mount horn Graphophone to my small collection this coming year. I have a lot to learn about these beauties.

Good luck with your search, Dan!

Yamaphone wrote:I recently acquired a Columbia BVT and am finding information about this machine to be rather scarce. The examples that I have seen so far show a somewhat different connection between the reproducer and tone arm. The black tone arm on my machine is cast iron and all the other elbows etc. are cast brass. The number 9663 is stamped into the bedplate. The horn also is not the one usually shown on BVTs. I was wondering where this machine fits in the production of these type machines. Any information would be appreciated.

Dan Z.

The number is the serial number, very late production which could account for the differences you mention. The horn is usually a black scalloped, but it could have been what was available when built or someone just changed it sometime in it's life.


Chuck