The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

In all the years I've been in this hobby, I have to say I have never seen a trade mark Berliner with a "brass" main gear. This '97 model I recently bought has given me a surprise for sure. I have checked even with a loupe and this gear was not added at a later date. I wonder if Johnson was experimenting with brass.Does anyone know what serial number the '97's started at??. To my shock, it plays very smooth and quiet. There is also the seldom seen metal strap on the inside of the case to catch the spring if she goes. I hope someone can tell me they have seen this also.

That is very interesting. I got quite curious so I popped the case open on mine. I believe mine is from 1898 with a serial number of 8548. It has the notorious fiber gear but does have the metal strap inside just like yours. I'm not sure about the serial numbers year by year, but George P. helped me identify the serial number on mine and put it at 1898. I have the arrow style side brake and black funnel horn. Maybe it was an experiment using brass gears.....it sure makes good sense. Mine sounds like a coffee grinder !

ColoradoPhonograf

Well that is interesting. I have a '98 and it has no metal spring strap??. I need to pull the machine out of the display case to get the # off the barrel.If I remember right.... I think it is J 22?? If the gear was changed,I wonder if it was done when the 3.00 toy was out. I think it too has a brass gear. I have even seen a '97 Berliner with a ink stamp inside it's case that reads "Repaired Nov 29 1898". That spring barrel is stamped J 23??? or J 29??? and also with the steel strap. Mine does not have this ink stamp. Both these machines have the first or "drop" side brake.