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I recently picked up an Edison Home D with an early Cygnet horn. The serial number is 378915 D and the Cygnet is the early type with rigid suspension (no spring). It came to me with a frozen mandrel, with the horn, and it has not been in the hands of a collector before me so I believe the horn and machine have been together a long time.

How long was the rigid suspension offered?

Was the D series of machines offered along with or before Cygnet horns became available?

Thanks, Jerry Blais

I intended this to be posted under machines. My mistake!

Jerry

Jerry,

The Model D Home was introduced in October 1908. The Cygnet horn was introduced in September 1909. The new Cygnet crane suspension was in use by August 1910 (The Edison Phonograph Monthly, Aug. 1910, page 7).

If you check the underside of your Home for signs of the front-mount bracket, it will help determine when it left the factory. If the bracket is present (or the four holes where it was screwed in), it would suggest that the machine was converted to Cygnet sometime after September 1909. If no sign of the bracket is present, it's likely that your Home was shipped with that Cygnet and crane sometime between September 1909 and August 1910.

By the end of May 1908, Home serial numbering had reached 317499. Your number, based upon early 1908 production, would represent about 20 months' worth of Home manufacture. That would suggest about January 1910 for your machine. That's if Home production remained roughly consistent through 1908 and 1909 - which might not have been the case in light of the challenging economic times taking place. At any rate, I wouldn't expect any sign of a bracket on the underside of your machine based on its serial number. Please let us know, so I can eat crow if necessary...

Hope this helps - -

George P.

George, I checked the underside of the cabinet. There are "pilot" marks but that's all. It shows no indication of ever being drilled for the straight morning glory type crane. The marks look like they were made by placing a templet, with four dimples, and then giving it a good tap to mark the spots.

Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:George, I checked the underside of the cabinet. There are "pilot" marks but that's all. It shows no indication of ever being drilled for the straight morning glory type crane. The marks look like they were made by placing a templet, with four dimples, and then giving it a good tap to mark the spots.

Jerry Blais

Well, that's interesting! I've never seen that.

George P.