The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Bought this good-running 2 minute Columbia machine at auction on a whim to add to the several non-Edisons in my collection. I believe it to be a BKT. However, the top of the rear bracket is thicker than most. I did find one other nearly identical machine with the thicker bracket on Worthpoint, identified as a BKT. Any thoughts?

Very nice. Looks more like a BVT.

Except that the BVT's all appear to have a clip-on rear bracket. But the upper part of the bracket is more similar to BVT.

Here are a couple more pics. Not sure why the orientation is flipped.

Here is the one on Worthpoint identified as BKT.

Not all BVT's had clip-on back-brackets. What are the dimensions of the cabinet? If the cabinet measures 10 ½" x 7 ½", then it's almost certainly a BVT or an Oxford equivalent.

-- Grant

Looks to me like a Columbia BVT also. And with a reproduction water-slide cabinet decal. The Oxford version of the BVT (marketed by Sears Roebuck) did have the clamped rear bracket but not the BVT that I'm aware of. The cabinet is also a BV/BVT cabinet versus the Columbia BK/BKT.

Doug

The cabinet and tone arm do look a bit odd, but the machine itself is definitely a BK and not a BV. I'm kind of thinking that a BK works has been fitted into a BV cabinet. See how the top of the cabinet has been modified along the front & rear moldings to accept the larger BK top plate.

You have the Oxford Model WM version of a BKT sold by Sears. It shouldn't have a banner decal. It's the last version of the BK chassis as it has the serial number stamped on that raised boss at the rear of the chassis, serial number should be in high 80,000's

BV/BVT machines have nickel plated bed plates.

Chuck

ChuckA wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 6:48 pm You have the Oxford Model WM version of a BKT sold by Sears. It shouldn't have a banner decal. It's the last version of the BK chassis as it has the serial number stamped on that raised boss at the rear of the chassis, serial number should be in high 80,000's

BV/BVT machines have nickel plated bed plates.

Chuck

Awesome! Makes perfect sense!