A few questions

[GrafonolaG50]

I found a picture of a Columbia reproducer identical to mine, the website said its a No 20 reproducer. Can anyone tell me anything about this? Also I have noticed all Columbia portables I see online use a flip up, almost old lunchbox style latch on the lid. Mine doesn't have this style latch. Mine is a small button that when pressed, it pushes a spring steel latch which is connected to a metal protrusion on the bottom half of the machine. This latch mechanism is inside the case, not on the outside. Does anyone know what models used this style latch. All info is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking your time to read this.

[GrafonolaG50]

Pictures

[Phono48]

As far as I'm aware, these catches were fitted to "export" models. Whether this means they were assembed abroad, i.e. Japan, or if they were made in England and then exported is not clear. The enclosed pictures are of a similar model in my collection, a model 204, which is the same model No. as the English version, but with many differences. On yours, is there not a model No. in the lid, as in mine?

[epigramophone]

The push button lid catch was a feature of some (but not all) Columbia overseas models. My G-208 pictured below was purchased from the grand-daughter of the original owner, who acquired it in Hong Kong in about 1940.

[GrafonolaG50]

No numbers on it anywhere except for one that says " G-50 ", also my machine is much smaller that yours. A 10" record cannot be stored in the lid, it won't fit. It will play both 10" and 12" though.

[Phono48]

A few more photos of the whole machine would be much appreciated.

[GrafonolaG50]

Some photos of the whole machine, the record in one picture is a 10" record.

[estott]

That is a post-merger machine when Columbia portables became almost indistinguishable from HMV portables.

[GrafonolaG50]

Any idea of the model? I searched for G50 Grafonola viva tonal and found nothing. Also why is it so small compared to other Columbia portables? Could it be wartime and and the small size possibly rationing related?

[Phono48]

What's on the small rectangular transfer underneath the Columbia trade mark? Might be a clue there.

It's a great little machine, and I've never seen another like it. It's not the only small machine that Columbia made. The 100, known as the Cadet, was even smaller. (see enclosed photo) Pre-war, so nothing to do with shortage of materials.

Yours seems to be a mixture of British and American components. The arm, autobrake, and speed control are typical of the type fitted to a range of British models, but the turntable is distinctly American, so presumably the motor is as well.The winding handle, it's escutcheon, and the lid fastener are all typical of these "export" machines. This would indicate that the parts were sourced from England and America, and assembled abroad, probably Japan.

Whatever it is, I'm envious!