Unusual Columbia BF

[ChuckA]

Here's a Columbia BF I picked up a few months ago. It's an early unit (#5550) with one of the weight type Lyric reproducers and the unusual Edison #10 Cygnet horn. As far as I can tell the horn and bracket has been on the machine for a long time possibly since new.

The cabinet finish under the back bracket is smooth and original while the rest of the cabinet is dark and wrinkled probably
from being stored in a hot attic. I still have some cleanup to do on the case as there are lots of paint splatter.

And yes the artwork on the chassis is original.

Chuck

[Curt A]

Nice machine, the BF is my favorite... I love the Columbia cabinets and the attractive decals used to decorate the upper works. I have a BFT, a BE and a BKT, along with several other Columbia cylinder and disc machines.

[ChuckA]

Nice machine, the BF is my favorite... I love the Columbia cabinets and the attractive decals used to decorate the upper works. I have a BFT, a BE and a BKT, along with several other Columbia cylinder and disc machines.

Same here, I started collecting mainly Columbia cylinder machines about 20 years ago and have every model from the Model N (1895) to Model BO (1908). Only missing the BX & AO/AW. Because of the cost I stayed away from the pre 1895 models and SG coin-op. With all the variations within models there are about 80 of them. My favorites are the GG and AD.


Chuck

[VanEpsFan1914]

When I had a 1906 BK Graphophone I did play it through a cygnet horn once or twice. The sound was incredible--it surpassed the best digital transfers.

That is a lovely graphophone and the Edison horn is a fascinating addition.

[Lucius1958]

Now, the Cygnet horn wasn't introduced until, when? 1908/9? Therefore, this early BF must have been modified a few years later...

- Bill

[ChuckA]

Now, the Cygnet horn wasn't introduced until, when? 1908/9? Therefore, this early BF must have been modified a few years later...

- Bill

Bill

You are right the BF was introduced in 1905 and the #10 Cygnet was in 1909. My point was that I think the horn & bracket were probably installed in the teens.

Here is another interesting Columbia. A BC with a Spruce Music Master Cygnet using a Edison back bracket.

Chuck

[Jerry B.]

That's the second very interesting Columbia machine with unusual horn combination. We are quick to say that you'd never see a Cygnet on a Graphophone but you just never know. I bet an Edison dealer would be quick to make inroads into a Columbia customer's home. With good customer service and the excellent installation of a Cygnet horn, the Edison dealer might make inroads into future sales. It's good business.

The major American companies, Victor, Zonophone, Talk-O-Phone, and Columbia all made long throat sound boxes that were essentially interchangeable. So if an owner of a Victor R had a damaged long throat Concert and the Graphophone dealer was conveniently located, it is entirely possible that the Victor R has been functioning with a Columbia sound box for over one hundred plus years. If I owned such a machine that was a century old marriage of parts, I would enjoy it just as it came to me.

Jerry Blais

[Inigo]

That BC with the cygnet horn must sound terrible!

[Lucius1958]

Here is another interesting Columbia. A BC with a Spruce Music Master Cygnet using a Edison back bracket.

BC Cygnet.jpg

Chuck

Very interesting (home made?) elbow...

- Bill

[ChuckA]

Very interesting (home made?) elbow...

- Bill

I don't think so, there is a period picture of a similar setup in one of the Fabrizio/Paul books. Don't remember which one.

Chuck