The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Can you guys help estimate what I should offer for this? The motor runs and it appears
complete but minus the horn. The owner has the horn but its broken at the base (small end) and
at the moment he can't locate it. So basically its what is shown in the pics. It has potential
but I would have to find a wood horn for it which is not cheap. Thank-you!

I think you'll find the small end of the horn still in the elbow! As for a horn, you could use either a wooden one or a metal one; the III was available with either.

George P.

$800 would be my guess. You will have to put some money into the rebuilding of the reproducer, cleaning products for the case and metal polish for the nickel parts. The hors will be at least another $200. Its not in the most ideal shape so I would say that if you kept your cost, total, under $1200 you would be getting a fair price.

I say $400.00 to $500.00 at most. I clean unrestored III with a horn didn't
bring 1,000 on ebay. These used to be 1,5000 machines in the olde days..

Thanks very much to all for the helpful info. I have made arrangements
to purchase the machine tomorrow. The advice I receive from all of
you on the board is indispensable and greatly appreciated! If all
goes as planned I will have further details tomorrow...

It really wouldn't take all that much work to make that into a beautiful machine. All the parts (save the horn) seem to be there, and nothing is broken or severely damaged. Nice find!!

Shane wrote:It really wouldn't take all that much work to make that into a beautiful machine. All the parts (save the horn) seem to be there, and nothing is broken or severely damaged. Nice find!!

Thanks Shane! As this will be my first external horn machine I am pretty
excited to say the least. I agree, the case looks to be intact and it
should clean up nicely. The Victor plate is pretty faded however, so I
am wondering how I should tackle that. A replacement plate would
probably be the easiest way. The tone arm is pretty tarnished as well
but hopefully it will shine up a bit. I will likely go with the metal horn
for the sake of economy for the time being. A wood one would be nice if
I can find one for a good deal of course.

Hi antique1973.
It looks like you'll get some fun out of that machine. Let me make my case for not replacing the ID plate: primarily it is the machine's birth certificate. It is that proof that this wasn't a frankenphone from some antique dealer's laboratory of horrors. I think you'll find that given some detail work (with a good Optivisor or other magnifier) you'll be able to restore even that. OK, my song and dance is over. Enjoy the new (old) machine!
Regards,
Martin

martinola wrote:Hi antique1973.
It looks like you'll get some fun out of that machine. Let me make my case for not replacing the ID plate: primarily it is the machine's birth certificate. It is that proof that this wasn't a frankenphone from some antique dealer's laboratory of horrors. I think you'll find that given some detail work (with a good Optivisor or other magnifier) you'll be able to restore even that. OK, my song and dance is over. Enjoy the new (old) machine!
Regards,
Martin

I second not replacing the ID plate. It's far too imporatnt to mess with. And really, there is an easy fix. Take OOOO (or however may zeros the finest is) steel wool and lightly go over it, hitting just the top. You'll be surprised how easily the high points will brighten up.

Just cleaning can do wonders. Recently I washed a horn and 50 years of tobacco came off. Totally different horn with just soap and water.( make sure you can really dry it). Some kotten klensor and a feeder wax after should bring the machine back nicely. Also. The nickel playing may have a clear laquer coat. Some laquer thinner can help. Then polish.