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I have a question about Columbia reproducers and what the differences mean.
I have Columbia reproducers that have a front style needle bar screw in and I have Columbia
reproducers with a bottom mount needle bar. They are all original and have the text on the face under the mica. A few pics attached show the 2 types.

Are your reproducers for front-mount, or back-mount machines ?


I have a Columbia Disc Graphophone BJ Imperial from about 1905, which is a back-mount machine, and it uses a Columbia "Analyzing" reproducer, which is similar to the reproducers you have pictured.

Mine attaches to the aluminum tone-arm via three screws through the tone-arm, into the back-side of the reproducer. The needle-bar attaches to the front face of a little block which attaches to the round reproducer body via two screws, up from the bottom. The needle chuck on mine has a triangular hole, and a thumb-screw.

I believe it to be original to the machine.

The lower one is definitely an Analyzing reproducer.

There was an "Improved" reproducer on some very early Columbias, but I have not seen a good photo of one to make a judgement.

Bill

Harvey called and we talked about the Columbia Analyzing reproducer. He said the earliest example utilized a thumb screw for securing the needle and this reproducer, used about 1902 to 03, had a 1886 patent date on the face. The next type utilized a spring loaded device to hold the needle. It also had a 1886 patent date and was used from about 1903 to 1904. The last long throat Analyzing reproducer had 1905 as the last patent date, was also spring loaded, and was used from 1904 to the end of the front mount era. Jerry Blais

[quote="De Soto Frank"]Are your reproducers for front-mount, or back-mount machines ?


They are all front mount long throat.

HI I have another Columbia Reproducer which came on a wooden Columbia arm for my AJ? As you can see I need some parts to rebuild. I think the patented date is 1886. Can anyone comment on this reproducer.
Thanks Brian