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My instincts say crapper based on the brass horn. Once again however it has features that
differ from the usual crapophones on the fraud circuit. I can't find any info on the "German trademark" online which already throws up a red flag. Anyways, please see pic for more details and dissect if desired.

Maybe a frankenphone, but I dont think it's a crapophone as such. Crapophone brass horns are usually of smaller dimensions.
I cant enlarge the picture to get a better look at the machine, but it kind of looks legit to me, although I'd like to see if the tonearm is a gooseneck or swan neck (& everything else for that matter.) If it's a gooseneck or straight arm, then there's more chance it's original, as very few horn machines were being made after 1925/26 when swan neck tonearms became the norm.

Looks like a legit Swiss/German machine to me

Looks like a legit Swiss/German machine to me

And to me.

Here is the ad. I am hoping to hear back from the seller but only contact
is email. I did not see the ad until the 8th so my fear is its sold.


Gramophone - $150
Date: 2010-12-07, 8:50PM PST

I would assume it to date between 1900-1920. It has an oak case with a transfer label written in German Musikhaus Merkur. The horn is brass. The turntable turns. The oak case is in good condition with no woodworm. To one side there is a knob that turns to adjust the speed. Measures; case; 12.5" x 12.5" wide and stands 7.5" high, the width of the large end of the horn is 23.5" across.

Over here in the USA that would be a good price, but I think these "Swissie" horn machines are much more common abroad.

The seller got back with me so I ran over to check it out. Although I am not
familiar with the European machines, it was fairly obvious the parts are
properly aged. The motor runs great and it plays but sounds awful of course
due to the rotted gaskets. Got it for $100 even.

Even though the picture is not clear, I would say that this is a legitimate machine. All of the parts seem to "flow" together. Unlike the crapophones, the parts on them, are choppy and slapped together. I would say this machine is from about 1910-1920. I wouldn't mind having that one in my collection.
Harvey Kravitz

After I posted this, another post came up with plenty of clear pictures. This is no crapophone. It is a very nice machine. I'd get it if I were you.
Harvey Kravitz

That is very very nice- these inexpensive machines are often very attractive