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I bought this horn at an estate sale and would like help with identification. It's a well built horn with a bell about 6&¼" and overall length of 14&⅜". Also, there is a hanger loop very close to the bell. Thanks for any replies.

Jerry Blais

Jerry, it looks like an early "funnel" horn of the type originally supplied with Edison suitcase Homes, Standards, and Spring Motors. This one has a hanger at the bell which might prompt many collectors to identify it as a "Polyphone Horn," although I've yet to see a period illustration of a Polyphone equipped with these horns. (And why would the horns be connected?) I believe these early "funnel" horns with hangers were meant for use with smaller machines whose weaker mainsprings would struggle if the horn were self-supported.

George P.

Thanks George,

Your reply makes sense. I held an original 14" black & brass in one hand and the funnel horn in the other and it seemed somewhat heavier.

Thanks, Jerry

Here is my polyphone spring motor with the clips on the horns used. The upper horn supports the lower using a chain and the lower horn connects to the reproducer with a typical rubber tube. Works great!
Gregg

Thanks Gregg! Were these horns reproduced? How is a reproduction identified?

Thanks, Jerry

There have been some reproduction funnel horns made in the past, but as far as I know none had the ring on the rim of the horn bell.

My Standard Polyphone has those rings. Although the only contemporary pictures I've seen show the horns mounted one above the other, as Gregg shows in his photo, I like to have mine angled toward the sides. Standing in the center with each horn directed toward a different ear makes a very major difference in how noticeable the reverb effect comes through, far more so that when they're both pointing straight out. I think this configuration displays better as well. The rings really help when set up this way as they prevent either horn from falling over due to the weight.

Great photo of a wonderful machine. I love the tilted Baciagalupi decal.

Jerry

This one has a hanger at the bell which might prompt many collectors to identify it as a "Polyphone Horn," although I've yet to see a period illustration of a Polyphone equipped with these horns

George, do you have a period illustration showing this horn (with the ring) on a Standard, Home, or Spring Motor or other machine with a crane to hold up the 14" horn from the ring as you suggest? If there is such an illustration, it would be great to see it.

I display my Bacigalupi Standard with the horns stacked as Rene noted.

An important note is that the ring is mounted at the horn seam. Therefore, when the two horns are stacked as shown, the horn seams face each other and thus are less noticeable.

Jerry, reproductions tend to be a little heavier gauge metal. But it's hard to tell the additional weight without having an original and a repro side-by-side with one in each hand. Then it becomes noticeable or obvious. Original horns are very thin metal, bend easily, and flake off original black paint like crazy.

Mark

Phonomark wrote: George, do you have a period illustration showing this horn (with the ring) on a Standard, Home, or Spring Motor or other machine with a crane to hold up the 14" horn from the ring as you suggest? If there is such an illustration, it would be great to see it.

Mark

No, I've never seen any period illustrations of these funnel horns with ring hangers on their rims.

George P.

Gregg,

The springmotor poly is on my list to hopefully find one day...Your machine is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing...Anyone have a spare for sale???

All of these polyphone machines are beauties!!!