The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Are the graphics on this AT original or have they been added?

Yes, I believe the graphics are original. Columbia made some very attractive machines. I am always cautious about pot metal issues with many Columbias. Jerry Blais

Original configuration of graphics on the mechanism but looks like the word "GRAPHOPHONE" has been touched up and/or repainted kind of poorly.

Kent in KC wrote:Original configuration of graphics on the mechanism but looks like the word "GRAPHOPHONE" has been touched up and/or repainted kind of poorly.

Kinda what i was thinking. It is suppose to run and it has a beautiful case.

Jerry B. wrote:Yes, I believe the graphics are original. Columbia made some very attractive machines. I am always cautious about pot metal issues with many Columbias. Jerry Blais

Which part(s) on this machine are pot metal?

The carriage assembly on many Columbias was made of pot metal.

Jerry B. wrote:The carriage assembly on many Columbias was made of pot metal.

Uggg. The owner said it "gets snug" in the middle of the slide when the carriage is moved. That may be why. Swollen.

If the carriage moves, but "gets snug" in the middle, I'd suspect that someone incorrectly reinstalled the stabilizer (the part that hangs vertically below the carriage sleeve). It looks like cellophane tape has been applied to the left side of the carriage, so someone has already been at work on it.

I once bought a nice high-end Graphophone very reasonably because this problem was disclosed. About 10 minutes work fixed it.

On the other hand, if the cabinet is original to the works, that machine dates from 1900 or a bit later. I've encountered a couple of these mid-production ATs (and even an AZ) where the entire upper casting was pot metal. It had expanded and the gears along the left side would no longer mesh. That's something to check out before buying it.

Graphophones have their pitfalls for the unwary, but if you know what to look for, you can make out very well.

George P.

George,
I have run across the pot metal upper works, as well. I always believed that at least the upper castings were iron, but obviously not... The casting in the picture looks suspiciously like pot metal where the paint is chipped or worn and that telltale gray metal is showing...

This machine is listed on ebay. See the link below. I would definitely steer clear of it. Like Curt said, the upper works is pot metal. These pot metal upper works can twist, bend and be out of alignment after many years. Not to say the cracks, and deterioration. To bid on this would be a real pig-in-a-poke. I wouldn't take the chance.
Harvey Kravitz

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1897-Columbia-G ... SwE0JY-0rs