The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A friend of mine sent me this picture. Can anyone tell me anything about this? The horn looks repainted and I'm thinking it's a standard

Thanks
Gary

it is a Columbia BI

Leo's right - - it's a BI. And the horn is probably brass, although originally nickel plated.

George P.

Now that I have a name and the internet, it sure is a Columbia BI. Thanks

A question: OP Gary mistook this for a Standard talking machine. It's clear to me (at least) from the photo that this particular machine does not have a large spindle. Were there Standards manufactured without the enlarged spindle? Thanks, Mark

I know I can't answer that, being relatively new to this. It just reminded me of some of the Standards I had seen.

Many Standard and similar machines were converted to use conventional size spindles.

victorIIvictor wrote:A question: OP Gary mistook this for a Standard talking machine. It's clear to me (at least) from the photo that this particular machine does not have a large spindle. Were there Standards manufactured without the enlarged spindle? Thanks, Mark

The Standards all were originally equipped with large spindles, but as estott noted, many were converted over the years. The moral is you can't tell a Standard by its spindle!

George P.

Nice BI! It's an excellent machine, and the 'Analyzing' soundbox is very good - even performs creditably on early electrics!

Bill

Here in Ontario, Canada, I've noted few Standard Columbia machines for sale with conventional spindles. The conversion must have been popular.