The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've uploaded a picture of two Columbia cranks. Not sure the bottom is a genuine Columbia crank although it came with a first version AT. Prior to this crank, all Columbia cranks that I've seen have a bend in the arm like the top one. Not this one. Seems to be nickel-plated brass. Works perfectly fine on the AT.

Is it a genuine, correct for the period, Columbia crank?

I believe it's genuine.

I agree...original.

Jerry B.

Thank you.

I may be wrong, but I think the straight one is for a top wind AJ, similar to a Berliner crank...

My AT, which dates from the 'New York & Paris' period, has exactly the same crank as jboger's lower example.

I notice that this tends to brush against the ball of the right-hand lid-latch during winding. Was the bent-arm version perhaps introduced on later examples of this model in order to avoid this minor but irritating problem?

Oliver Mundy.

Yes, Oliver, you are correct.

The crank with the straight drop was used on earlier Graphophones such as the N, A, AN, and the very first ATs in the A cabinet.

George P.