The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked this Edison up at an auction on Sunday. I bought it because of the fantastic
condition it was in. It looks as if it has very little wear. My question is about the horn
Does it look original or a repro? I'm a newbie collector and would greatly
appreciate comment.
Thanks Terry

The horn doesn't appear to be original or a reproduction of anything from that time. The finish on the cabinet is also a bit wrecked, as are the screws.

It appears to me that the horn has been made up using the flare from a radio horn speaker.
The other end looks far too big for a regular cylinder phonograph reproducer, but would probably be a good fit on a Max Wurckers reproducer- but those cost as much as a machine.
If you were in England, the horn would be perfect for a Cascade gramophone too
That said, there's no reason you couldn't use the horn successfully with your machine until a more suitable replacement can be found, but you may have to alter the end & reduce it's size.
The upper works is in good condition, and if you want to make the cabinet more original looking, you can simply strip & refinish it in a more appropriate colour. Alternatively, you could wait for a nice original Model B case to turn up on ebay.
It might be an idea to contact Martin with the serial number so you know whether it should have a banner decal or Edison script on the front of the cabinet.
Having 2/4min gearing, it's still not a bad little starter machine.

The ghost of the script decal is quite visible on my monitor.

True, but it's not to say a collector hasn't swapped the case at sometime in it's lifetime. It does seem a little strange that the works are in reasonable condition yet the case appears to bare timber, or badly stripped & refinished.

The upper works is real nice and original! I am surprised that someone would have swapped out to make this combo. It's obvious that the cabinet finish was stripped off with a solvent. You can see the lighter areas around where the Edison transfer used to be. They had to use more solvent to get the decal off. The solvent bleached the wood in this area.

From the picture, the reproducer looks like it might be a reproduction.

Edisone,
What wrong with the screws?

Steve

I think the horn is a doctored public address loudspeaker horn from the 30s-50's/ They were often sectional..that is they bolted together ...just about where the join is in this one, as a matter of fact.I'll scan a thirties radio supply catalogue in a bit so you can see.

Jim

I don´t think the horn is from a radio speaker. Radio speakers are mostly bended.
The horn reminds me a lot of the Western elctric 6A straight exponential horn speaker. They had been used as public speakers in the 1920´s and early 1930´s.

Because of the (almost) perfect exponential shape of your horn, you will get really good sound. If it is a Western or something similar horn, it is a rarity by itself.

After closer inspection I do agree that the cabinet has been stripped. I will probably sand it down
gently and apply a few coats of laquer and polish with rottenstone?? That should give it an original
sheen. The machine plays perfectly and shows little wear on the gold edging and the nickel. Also
almost perfect black on the base. Would this model be an A or B ? Also i'm wondering what
type of horn it originally had. The horn it came with has a little brass loop which puzzles me,
but I do know now it is not factory, also the reproducer looks repro!
Thanks for the comments!!

Hi tcmeeno!

That's a Model B machine you have there. Judging by the serial number, your case would most likely have the Edison script decal (rather than the Banner type). The last of the Banner machines was somewhere around #340884 (neglecting the odd case swap on higher numbered machines). Even though the case needs work, I think it's a nice machine. The bedplate details are good. The model Bs are great work-horses. Keep us posted on the progress you make with this.

Regards