"Upgrading" A Leather Elbow Machine?

[Jerry B.]

At many shows it is common to see early front machines that came from the factory as a leather elbow machine converted to a metal elbow machine. Sellers are quick to say it was a common upgrade done back in the day. My question is what percentage were converted by original owners? What percentage were completed by collectors because metal elbow parts are more commonly found today? Your comments are appreciated.

Jerry B.

[Curt A]

I think the "upgrades" were done at a time when repro leather elbows were not readily available. I would much prefer the leather elbow...

[phonogfp]

Admittedly, there were legitimate upgrades for certain machines, such as replacing the original 22" horn of an early-production AH Disc Graphophone with a 30" horn and special arms when they became available in 1904. But this and other period upgrades are relatively scarce. I believe that the overwhelming majority of metal elbows on what were originally leather elbow machines (especially when the original size horn is still present) is the result of no readily-available option, as Curt stated. I doubt that many (any?) original owners decided to switch out their original leather elbow for a metal version simply to "upgrade." To what end?

George P.