The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

OK, OK, you might want to consider this a bit of a fantasy machine so don't go crying foul on my poor little Eagle. I recently picked up this Columbia Type B and it is a curious machine for sure. First off it started life as a case-less model with the serial number 127090 stamped in the belt cover. Then at some point it was entirely taken apart and all parts, including the gears, were plated and highly polished in nickle. Also an oak base and lid were added without a data plate of course. That is all I know about it. Yes, the serial number is certainly out of the range of known examples of highly polished B's but why would someone do this and when was it done? The plating is certainly not recent, it has the right color of old aged nickle. When placed side by side with my other Highly Polished Eagle you would think it was just as old. I would like to think I'm dealing with a factory Prototype, after all doesn't everyone want to think they have a prototype if what you have just is just a little outside of the known rules, but I likely just have an everyday Eagle that someone really treasured. Now for the "fantasy" part I added one of Aaron Cramer's reproduction fancy bases. I had an extra 14" horn with a hanger that I had nickled and added a little table crane and here is my newest addition....
thanks for looking. Joe

I like it!

)


Tony K.

Edison/Collector Restorer

It even has the polished governor weights like the real thing. Do the weights match your BXP? I will not speculate regarding the authenticity. It looks great either way.

Django wrote:It even has the polished governor weights like the real thing. Do the weights match your BXP? I will not speculate regarding the authenticity. It looks great either way.

I just mic'd the weights and they are exactly the same diameter. Beats me!
Joe

If you have a gram scale you could compare weight. Same size and weight means same material.

I like it, it was tastefully done. I wonder if it is a period rebuild or something recently done.

I love it, Joe!

--Grant

A little less of a fantasy when you see an original page from a Talking Machine Company of Chicago catalog.

Great piece, Joe.

Shawn wrote:A little less of a fantasy when you see an original page from a Talking Machine Company of Chicago catalog.

Great piece, Joe.

TTMCOC 23.jpg

Do you know the date of that publication? It would be interesting to compare that with the serial number of the machine.