The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I recently purchased a Brunswick 117. It's awesome. I was wondering if you could help me date this beauty. I searched online and couldn't find much. It came with original manuals but it only has patent dates. Here are the pics of the badge and numbers.

I can broadly date it to the early 1920s. Originally priced at $250, the price was reduced to $225 in early 1923, per the Wakeman Brunswick book available at the APS site.

There is not as yet a way to tell you the date your Brunswick phonograph was manufactured. There are no company records that have been found. Your Model was made for several years during the 20's. The early models had a wood motor board instead of the metal and no medallion. No Serial number stamped anywhere that I can find.

Is it known if the serial numbers are meaningful? Do they represent a continuous numbering scheme across all models during the years of production? I thought about trying to create a rough guide to determine manufacturing year based on serial number, and the known introduction of certain models and design changes.

I'm also curious if anyone has deciphered the first 4 digits of the number stamped near the horn inside of the cabinet. My Model 120 has an earlier serial number (15XXXX) and my 4 digit code begins with a 4.

Lastly, I've noticed that some medallions are secured with two brads on some machines. On my machine, it is either glued on or secured from underneath. I do not have the two visible stud heads.

BiliBug wrote:Is it known if the serial numbers are meaningful? Do they represent a continuous numbering scheme across all models during the years of production? I thought about trying to create a rough guide to determine manufacturing year based on serial number, and the known introduction of certain models and design changes.

I'm also curious if anyone has deciphered the first 4 digits of the number stamped near the horn inside of the cabinet. My Model 120 has an earlier serial number (15XXXX) and my 4 digit code begins with a 4.

Lastly, I've noticed that some medallions are secured with two brads on some machines. On my machine, it is either glued on or secured from underneath. I do not have the two visible stud heads.

Good questions all. I don't think anybody has collected that information yet (could be someone has?) Since Brunswick was a late comer to the phonograph market and didn't produce any outside horn machines, they were not really of much interest it seems to most collectors. I think they are very well made machines and relatively inexpensive for what they are. I think there has been a little more interest in them in the last few years, especially in the high end models.

Check out the specific book on Brunswick by R.J.Wakeman. It has a lot of great information.

" http://www.antiquephono.org/brunswick-p ... j-wakeman/ "

phonogal wrote:

BiliBug wrote:Is it known if the serial numbers are meaningful? Do they represent a continuous numbering scheme across all models during the years of production? I thought about trying to create a rough guide to determine manufacturing year based on serial number, and the known introduction of certain models and design changes.

I'm also curious if anyone has deciphered the first 4 digits of the number stamped near the horn inside of the cabinet. My Model 120 has an earlier serial number (15XXXX) and my 4 digit code begins with a 4.

Lastly, I've noticed that some medallions are secured with two brads on some machines. On my machine, it is either glued on or secured from underneath. I do not have the two visible stud heads.

Good questions all. I don't think anybody has collected that information yet (could be someone has?) Since Brunswick was a late comer to the phonograph market and didn't produce any outside horn machines, they were not really of much interest it seems to most collectors. I think they are very well made machines and relatively inexpensive for what they are. I think there has been a little more interest in them in the last few years, especially in the high end models.

There seems to be alot more interest in the larger high end models such as the Brunswick Cortez which some say rivals the Victor Orthophonic. While some classify the Brunswick as "off-brand", I personally would not, they were a tough competitor in the marketplace and even recorded and released their own records. I think the Brunswick is far more superior to many independent brand machines.

Victrolacollector wrote: While some classify the Brunswick as "off-brand", I personally would not, they were a tough competitor in the marketplace and even recorded and released their own records. I think the Brunswick is far more superior to many independent brand machines.

In 1921, Brunswick overtook Edison in sales to become the #3 brand in the U.S. Off brand indeed!

George P.

Brunswick-Balke-Collender was a manufacturer of billiard tables, bowling equipment, and furniture, all of it excellent in quality.

They did make several models of phonograph, at various prices points, but all were quality machines, equal to or surpassing Victor and Edison in terms of cabinet and mechanical construction, and their engineering was limited only by patents held by others.

I would rank them above Columbia in terms of build-quality.



Frank

phonogfp wrote:

Victrolacollector wrote: While some classify the Brunswick as "off-brand", I personally would not, they were a tough competitor in the marketplace and even recorded and released their own records. I think the Brunswick is far more superior to many independent brand machines.

In 1921, Brunswick overtook Edison in sales to become the #3 brand in the U.S. Off brand indeed!

George P.

I love my Brunswicks and play them more then my other machines, Just recently picked up a very nice Cortez and in my opinion it equals the Credenza, The motors are very well built and the ones I have are super quiet and smooth running.