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Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:04 pm
by Hcompton79
I Bought this for myself off eBay, but I don't know what it is. Does anyone have any info on this machine?
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:25 pm
by De Soto Frank
Looks a lot like one of the Birch Company portables... ?

Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 3:54 pm
by Hcompton79
That's what I thought but all the Birch one's have a curved record holder.
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:02 pm
by Hcompton79
Update: found the information
E General Industries Co Ohio Junior
Printed on the bottom of the motor
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:13 pm
by Player-Tone
Actually that information still sort of leaves us in the dark with identifying this portable, 'E General Industries Co' was a general supplier of motors and many different phonograph companies used this same motor. You will also find this same motor in RCA Victor portables such as the RCA Model02, also in Decca portables, etc.
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:24 pm
by Player-Tone
It looks similar to this Decca portable, except for the swapped tone-arm position and a couple other details. My guess is both portables were made by the same place, but outsourced by different companies and therefore were given minute differences to distinguish them. The little decal on the record holder may have been the only unique identifying mark on the phonograph, and it is long gone on yours.

Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:40 pm
by Player-Tone
.... It might also have an ID tag under the turntable, did you check it there yet?
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:36 pm
by estott
I'd say it was built by Prime Mfg. Co. in Milwaukee.
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:36 pm
by Hcompton79
No ID tag only what was printed on the motor, but it does have an aluminum reproducer diaphragm if that helps?
Re: Can you help identify this portable phonograph?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:45 pm
by Hcompton79
I don't think it's a prime because all of the tone arms on their machines appear to face the other way.
I would say it's a dead ringer for a Birch portable if it wasn't for the record holder, maybe the original got damaged and was replaced?