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I've looked through my boxes of miscellaneous junk but cannot find anything remotely resembling this terminal from an 1897 coin-operated phonograph. It doesn't need to be exactly like this one (I'm convinced that this one was re-purposed because there's no reason for the base to have been shaped, nor for one extra hole). Basically, I just need an old brass terminal with two thumbscrews (one for a horizontal rod) that sorta looks like this one. I can drill/tap if necessary.

Any help would be sincerely appreciated!

George P.

A big THANK YOU to several folks who have offered help with this. I have a couple of leads so far and a fall-back option of modifying a new binding post. One kind respondent asked about the machine this is for, and if I didn't need a pair of binding posts. No - this single post is hidden inside the cabinet as part of the coin mechanism of an Empire State Phonograph Company coin-op. This uses a Class M playing mechanism, a Tewksbury Repeater, and a slap-dash coin mechanism which looks like someone's high school shop project. (A very kind collector lent me his original coin mechanism to copy. The reproduction will look more professional than the original! ) Here's an ad from an 1897 issue of The Phonoscope which shows the machine: It all should be up and running within a couple of months now. Thanks again for the help I've received so far. This is a great forum.

George P.

George -

The example you showed is really quite similar to those found on some of the 1920s battery-powered early radios. You might find a usable, and genuinely old, unit to use by checking ebay for radio parts lots, in the radio category.

I might have a junker radio that is willing to donate something to you, as well. Will check when weather permits.

And then there are these, which I would strip and dip in mild acid to regain an appropriate level of tarnish:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-30s-lacqu ... Sw32lYzCTP

Thanks Peter,

A helpful respondent suggested eBay, and I believe that I've seen everything posted under "electric terminal," "binding post," "brass binding post," and "antique binding post." So far there's nothing exactly like the original, but another kind respondent has a friend who has offered to make me a new reproduction like the original.

This fellow asked what the extra holes were for, so I just took a photo of the post mounted to the board, showing that it acts not only as a terminal, but as an adjustable switch:
The horizontal rod is adjustable to allow for coin/token pressure on the spring.

I'll check out the "radio" category on eBay as well. After over 4 years, this project is nearing completion...

Thanks again, Peter.

George P.

I just gave away an old telegraph key that had that style of knob on it. I doubt you will find anything new that has that style of rope knurling. You might keep an on the telegraph and telephone sections of ebay. Good luck

Dave

Thanks Dave.

Actually, a helpful correspondent alerted me to this web site:

http://www.brassbindingposts.com/binding-posts.htm

As you can see, this fellow (Jon) offers binding posts with nice rope knurling. I bought two of them just to have on hand.

Meanwhile, a very kind forum member has exactly what I need, and it looks like my search will soon be at an end. I will mark this thread accordingly once that happens.

Meanwhile, my sincere thanks to all who have assisted me. There are some truly kind and generous people here.

Best to all,
George P.