The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a shot at buying this one but it looks like some kind of frankenphone.
The tone arm and support appear to be Victor but obviously the rest is suspect.
What do you guys think about this machine? The seller says there are no brand
names on it anywhere either.

It could be a frankenphone or perhaps a European model with some history.

It is better to spend your money on items that are going to be or become a resonable investment than to stock pile on "junk".Really,junk is all that is there,unless you have a pressing need for the few parts that are on that mess.IMHO

I vote junk for parts. Again, if you need them..

The only thing on there I need is the horn but even that is not the right one
for my Vic III. The gaping hole where the escutcheon should be suggests the motor was
swapped out too at some point. I saw the ad "victrola with horn" and got all excited. Jeeze.

No harm in getting excited.We all do.As long as that excitment doesn't cost you $$$ needlessly.In fact,that horn and elbow would not have fit your machine (as you know).You do have two things going for you.First,the machine was a "gift".Second the horn you need for a Vic 3 is the size that is the most common.I see many 19" flowers for sale in different states of condition.Same for the B/B horn.Even if you decide and go for broke on a oak horn,you will be miles ahead and that investment potential will always remain.I hate to keep using the word "investment" because most if not all of us collect because we love it.However,after awhile and as money is spent or the amount spent on that covetted piece is a great.Then you have to look at a what becomes a collection that way.This all may be just my own view on this.However,like other seasoned collectors.....I would think not.

That looks like one of those accessory FABRIC, FOLD UP horns, but it may have been spray painted?

This machine appears to be mostly an HMV Model 25 from around 1925. The case, tonearm and back bracket appear to be correct, but the horn, soundbox, and possibly the motor aren't. It's a Frankie or "cobble."

I have the later model HMV 32 (1927/28) that also has sloping sides. It has a longer case featuring a surface mounted horn and conduit that attaches to the tonearm. (ref: my avatar)

Horned gramophones retained their popularity longer in Britain than in the US.

Could this be a Crown Gramophone,

Look at this website.

http://www.gramophones.uk.com/informati ... e_375.html

USlakeside wrote:Could this be a Crown Gramophone,

Look at this website.

http://www.gramophones.uk.com/informati ... e_375.html

Afraid not. It's an HMV Model 25. Notice the needle bowl on the front left corner of the Model 25 that doesn't exist on the Crown.

However, I would not be surprised if the Crown was inspired by the HMV 25. There are many Indian gramophones that appear to be knockoffs.