The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,

I'm currently away on holidays and came across and bought this rare beast. I know that the Victor 5 / V was made til quite late and was offered at the end of its run in mahogany so I couldn't believe it when I stood looking at this. I assume that the auto break etc... were features also offered late in the run but I don't know enough about these. The horn also Victor is Nickel plated!!!

The serial number on the Victor plate says V-V 58805

Any info is much appreciated.

Cheers,
Mario

PS. Sorry about the pics on the floor of the hotel bathroom! Also the pic angle makes the horn look out of proportion but it isn't.

WOW!! Nice Victor. It is interesting that this late version came with the automatic brake. I haven't seen that before. More pictures please.

Nice Mario. Your machine is shown in a 1917 US Victor booklet for sale at $60. I have #58209. Yours looks all correct. I just can't make out the gold filigree on the bracket or what appear to be rivets holding the horn to elbow.??.

This makes number 4 known (of this variation) in mahogany.By the way, if you do a search under mahogany Victor 5, you will find other threads I and others have posted and also the booklet page showing this model (top of the line at the time horn model).

Too bad my case is somewhat sun bleached. However, I would rather just leave it as it is. Yours looks great.

The booklet describes the machines case size and having an Exhibition reproducer.
The horn selection was either a 24" black flower or mahogany spear tip. Your nickel horn is killer!!!. Maybe this was an Australian horn..?.

There is also a thread from another member showing an even later (1920's) mahogany version.

Can you post your paper on the bottom please..??. I would like to compare it.

I just missed buying another last summer while on holidays....#59053... .

Thank you for the info!!! There isn't much gold filigree left on the back bracket. The elbow has been screwed to the horn for some reason, I haven't been able to remove it yet as the only tool I have in the hotel room is a waiter's friend (bottle opener)

Not a lot of the paper label left but pic attached!

Cheers,
Mario

Oops forgot to ask... Any thoughts on the Nickel horn?

mariof wrote:Oops forgot to ask... Any thoughts on the Nickel horn?

I'm wondering if it was a HMV horn offered by HMV to the Australian market..??. Although, I'm sure you would know that... .

I certainly have never seen a Victor flower in nickel. Is it brass or steel underneath..??.

Did you discover the machine in Australia..??. I ask, as it may provide a clue to the horns "market" origin.
It appears to be a 24". Is there a decal on it...??.

Regardless, it is a real stunning combination.

Perhaps another member can answer this..??.

Your pics, or rather where you are taking them, remind me of how we collectors can be.
On holidays in a hotel bathroom taking pics of a Gramophone. In the meantime, the Wife or kids are banging on the door to use the bathroom and the reply is.....I'm almost finished taking pictures. I be right out!!!... . We are a sorry lot... .

There is an embossed "patenXXXXX" that I can only see the edge of without removing the elbow, it looks to be nickel on brass but I need to look closer (after 11pm here). Yes the machine is in Australia. I have never seen or heard of another nickel horn of this type. I don't believe Victors were ever sold in Australia so it must have come here with an owner later???

mariof wrote:There is an embossed "patenXXXXX" that I can only see the edge of without removing the elbow, it looks to be nickel on brass but I need to look closer (after 11pm here). Yes the machine is in Australia. I have never seen or heard of another nickel horn of this type. I don't believe Victors were ever sold in Australia so it must have come here with an owner later???

Sorry, I meant to write a HMV made horn. However, I think they connect slightly different...?. Not too sure.
I did note on your label you have "44" in the top left corner and your last date above "several" is 1918. I have "4437" in the top left corner and a 1916 date above the word "several".
This is consistent to the serial numbers with yours slightly higher.

Here are a very bad pics of the one I missed. Why do people take pics with a phone..???...

I've spoken to a few more of the Australian collectors but none have seen a Nickel plated morning glory horn like this before, so it may be somewhat of a mystery at this point. cheers, mario

I'd love to see the motor. Is it a 3 spring, or a 4 spring motor?
Harvey Kravitz