The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello, all. I'm pretty sure I read in a couple of different places (though not Hazelcorn) that the Columbia BO Graphophone (cylinder), which was produced in 1908 (sort of a last hurrah for Columbia cylinder machines), was a 2/4 minute machine. Was this true for all of them, or just some? Can anyone please send me pictures of what the shifting mechanism and reproducer should look like? Thank you.

I've a Columbia BC with the 2/4 minute gearing. It uses a pretty ingenious method that either couples the drive directly to the feedscrew (2 min) or couples the drive through a collar with a planetary gear that is locked to the machine frame for 4 minute. A little lever makes the direct coupling or locks the collar to the frame through a slotted stud. The little lever engages the feedscrew end via a slot in the exposed end of the feedscrew. (2 Min)
And theoretical combination 2/4 minute stylus. I understand what they did with the stylus, but never thought it would work very well. Does it? I've never heard one in person.

eighteenbelow wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:21 pm Hello, all. I'm pretty sure I read in a couple of different places (though not Hazelcorn) that the Columbia BO Graphophone (cylinder), which was produced in 1908 (sort of a last hurrah for Columbia cylinder machines), was a 2/4 minute machine. Was this true for all of them, or just some? Can anyone please send me pictures of what the shifting mechanism and reproducer should look like? Thank you.

The 4 min attachment for the BO is the same as used on BK, BQ type machines except that the feed screw is longer to match the 6" mandrel on the BO.
My BO is 2 min / 3min (using the 6" long cylinders) The 4 min gearing and 4 min reproducer could be added later.
Here are pictures of unusual combination attachments on a BM and BC.

BM Model, the reproducer has a universal type stylus that will play 2 or 4 minute celluloid type cylinders.

BC Model, reproducer has an unusual turnover stylus similar to a Model O
Odd stylus assembly (Sorry about quality)

Chuck

I have two Columbia BO Graphophones. One is 2 minute only and the other has the 2/4 minute gearing and switch. Of the relatively few Columbia BO Graphophones I've seen, nearly all have been 2 minute only.

Doug