The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was lucky enough to find 2 horns today, which is really unusual in my area. Id like for someone to identify them if possible. The first one is all brass and measures 42" x 16 ½". The black one measures 30" x 14". Thanks

Both are Edison type cylinder horns... the all brass one is an early horn that would have been supported with a floor crane. The bell is soldered and not roll fitted to connect it, so it is probably late 1890s. It would be stunning if polished...

I believe the brass horn is a circa 1900 Hawthorne & Sheble - using diamond-shaped hangers before the Standard Metal Manufacturing Company patented that design. These horns were sold for use with Edison or Columbia machines.

The black-bodied horn appears to have a riveted hanger (the photo is pretty fuzzy), which would identify it as a Tea Tray Company product. If you look carefully below the hanger on one side about 3 inches from the bell, you may see traces of a red TT Co. decal. These horns were sold for use with Edison or Columbia machines.

George P.

Thanks for the info guys! I got them for $50.00 each so, I am pretty tickled with them. Im having the dents removed by my horn guy. I had thought about polishing the brass one but, I kinda like the way it looks as-is. I might change my mind but, it took a long time to get that patina.

hearsedriver wrote:I had thought about polishing the brass one but, I kinda like the way it looks as-is. I might change my mind but, it took a long time to get that patina.

And it took a long time for me to go bald.

George P.