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Hi,I have just picked up a Columbia BK from a local auction here in the UK. I know they are quite common in the States but we don't see so many over here. I wondered if anyone has accurate dating info as you do for the Edison machines ? This has the transfer on the back re St Louis 1904 and I have seen some pictures on the net of some which also have a reference to a 1906 fair so i assume it dates from around 1905 - would this be reasonable ? the serial number is 24374 and the reproducer is 19054 if this helps anyone ?

Nice machine... PM Harvey Kravitz (phonofreak) on this forum for dating info.

Unfortunately, dating Columbia machines is difficult to get an exact date. Columbia is not as well documented as Victor or Edison. The BK came out around 1906. Looking at this machine by the decal, I would say this is about 1906 or early 1907. In 1907, Columbia added to the banner decal, The Columbia Disc Graphophone, or the Columbia Graphophone for cylinder machines.
Harvey Kravitz

Nice machine...I have Columbia BK as well, they sound loud and strong. I will say that yours appears to have a mandrel with three holes, the one I have has no holes at the end. What was the purpose of the holes? I have seen these machines in both variations.

I'm sure you already know this, but I recommend to collectors (especially new collectors), these BK's should not be used to play Brown Wax or really any Wax record due to the additional tension from the stylus. I only use mine to play Indestructibles and New plastic resin type records.

The BK/BKT model had 5 variations over it's life. The first variation in 1906 had a separate black enameled chassis with a nickel plated carriage mounted on a nickel plated bedplate. I have never seen this model and I'm only repeating from Howard Hazelcorn's Columbia book. The second variation has the one piece black painted chassis and bedplate with the nickel plated carriage. The third variation has the same chassis & bedplate but the carriage was changed to a painted unit. The fourth variation is basically identical to the third variation except the serial number is stamped in a small raised boss on the bedplate behind the mandrel. The last variation is the Sears & Roebucks Oxford WM which is identical to the fourth variation except that the case is just a small square box lacking any style and usually no decal. The first 3 variations have serial numbers in the ~18,000 to ~25,000 range while the fourth and Oxford WM have serial numbers in the 80,000 range.

I have all the variations in my Columbia collection except the first.


If anyone has additional information on this model I'd like to hear from you, also any leads for the first variation would be appreciated.


Chuck

Thanks for all the information ! This must be the second variation then.

A very nice, clean example found in the UK. Well done... .