The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A friend found this record in some old family files. She has no idea what it might be and asked if I could play it on the Victrola. It seems to be made of aluminum or a metal very much like aluminum in feel, weight and color. The only marking on it is the word "STAUFFER" scratched on one side. It is 10-inch diameter like a typical 78.

Any thoughts on what it is, and what it is made of? Would it be safe to play on a VV-X or Credenza with a steel needle?

I'm not an expert, but I would suggest playing it on a modern turntable with light weight pickup instead. It could be a family heritage with voices of family ancestors, and a victrola could damage it...

Inigo thank you for that advice! Destroying something from this family's history is exactly what I don't want to do!

It could be zinc or aluminum, a streak test on a piece of unglazed porcelain should tell which. The bottom of a coffee cup works OK for the streak test.
Regardless of the metal, I would not play it on a wind-up.

I have a similar home recorded disc of children reading from a book.
A cactus or bamboo needle will not harm it.
It's like one of these...
https://obsoletemedia.org/speak-o-phone/

James.