The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

There's just something about this machine that makes me think it's an early repro. If you compare the machine that Kurt Nauck had with this machine, there are quite a few differences including absence of Berliner fiber gear. I have a repro, and I can tell you that it's very convincing. So convincing in fact that I had it confirmed by two collectors who actually have originals.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTOR-BERLINER ... 1438.l2649

I don't think the belting is original.

What did I win?

Bob,
I thought of yours when I saw this...

The mech on mine is painted , much like Kurts. Mine also has the fiber gear. I'm also aware of a repro that was made in England (I think) in the 70's and has a mech that is brass. Considering that the repro is now 40 years old, I'm sure that it has enough patina to make it look much like the original.

The current one on Ebay also has no signs of every having an ID tag and has no serial number in the wood. Another puzzling detail is that the decal has a 1904 patent date on it. The Victor Toy wasn't made after 1902 I believe.

UK reproductions. Does anyone here know who made them and when. Here are two that I bought about 8-9 years ago. Note one of them even has a fibre gear.