The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is that real old? If yes then the price ($500) doesn't seem too bad. Definitely looks nice...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-EMILIO-GENN ... 20b45f296b

Andreas

I think so, but it appears to have been remotored

Now that you said it, yes it looks that way. Cleverly hidden within convoluted photographs.

gramophoneshane wrote:I think so, but it appears to have been remotored

As I am looking to understand how to spot the indicators/signs of modifications or remotoring (being relatively new to antique phonographs), would you mind sharing with me what one looks for?

If I were to suffer a guess, to me it looks like the winding key/crank was relocated from the front to the side... and it appears to be overly large for the cabinet. Am I in the right ballpark? Or should I be looking at something else?

I appreciate any guidance in this area.

Tinkerbell wrote:

gramophoneshane wrote:I think so, but it appears to have been remotored

As I am looking to understand how to spot the indicators/signs of modifications or remotoring (being relatively new to antique phonographs), would you mind sharing with me what one looks for?

If I were to suffer a guess, to me it looks like the winding key/crank was relocated from the front to the side... and it appears to be overly large for the cabinet. Am I in the right ballpark? Or should I be looking at something else?

I appreciate any guidance in this area.

If you look at the picture with the crank attached, you'll notice it looks like it was two holes drilled out (not a perfectly round hole). You'll also note that there is a crank escutcheon that is not in use (you can just see it in the composite picture with the crank, and the close up of the reproducer). The of course, there is the mystery escutecheon you pointed to. Probably not a crank, but possibly a speed control not being currently used.

The first give-away was the turntable. Not only is it too big for the machine (it's a 12" & should be a 10"), but it has a sloping outer edge, which as far as I know didn't become fashionable until the mid 1920s.
The original crank escutcheon is still present but empty, and they cut a new "slot" for the crank shaft off the motor to protrude through.
I'm guessing that the nickelled fitting on the front of the machine was the speed control because there's a circular score mark half way around the hole, and normally the button to release the motor board is centralised.
It's a shame it's been butchered. It would have been quite a nice Thorens machine from around 1910 or so.

Zeppy wrote:If you look at the picture with the crank attached, you'll notice it looks like it was two holes drilled out (not a perfectly round hole). You'll also note that there is a crank escutcheon that is not in use (you can just see it in the composite picture with the crank, and the close up of the reproducer). The of course, there is the mystery escutecheon you pointed to. Probably not a crank, but possibly a speed control not being currently used.

Ahhhh... yes; now I see.

Thanks, Zeppy!

What's up with the wine cork on the turntable? Almost looks like a clumsy attempt to hide the spindle. Something else to wonder about

gramophoneshane wrote:The first give-away was the turntable. Not only is it too big for the machine (it's a 12" & should be a 10"), but it has a sloping outer edge, which as far as I know didn't become fashionable until the mid 1920s.
The original crank escutcheon is still present but empty, and they cut a new "slot" for the crank shaft off the motor to protrude through.
I'm guessing that the nickelled fitting on the front of the machine was the speed control because there's a circular score mark half way around the hole, and normally the button to release the motor board is centralised.
It's a shame it's been butchered. It would have been quite a nice Thorens machine from around 1910 or so.

And, thank you, Gramophoneshane too!!

Tinkerbell wrote:

What's up with the wine cork on the turntable? Almost looks like a clumsy attempt to hide the spindle. Something else to wonder about

Actually that isn't a wine cork it's a little wooden container. They were often used to hold sewing machine needles in the old days.