The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let everyone know how much George loved the Columbia BN Gramophone! He's very interested in getting it into better shape. I don't know much about mechanical issues, but he's good in that area, so, after the holidays I'm sure I'll be hitting the experts here up to help us in this endeavor! First question... What should I strip the paint on the horn with. We would prefer it to be the original than the spray painted silver.

Another question (okay, 2 more).

1. What can you tell me about an Edison 1 cylinder phonograph? See photo. 2. What can you tell me about a Gilbert Gramophone model #53? See photo.

I can tell you that the "Edison" phonograph is not an Edison, it's a Columbia BK. The reproducer and horn are Edison however. As to it needing a stylus/needle, I wouldn't put any bets on that being the case one way or the other, since the seller has no knowledge of what they're selling. At any rate, the Edison reproducer will not work in the Columbia machine. It's basically "parts", but at $85, it's worth it... for parts value.

The Gilbert is overpriced, no matter what it looks like with the lid opened.

Hi- Regarding the first picture--- It's a Columbia machine with an Edison horn- The reproducer on top of the machine is an Edison- the position of the weight suggests that it is likely detached from the reproducer body.
I live fairly close to where it is located. I have messaged the seller several times over the past couple of months and not received a response. I hope you have better luck contacting them.

Brad Abell

To remove the silver paint on the BN horn you could try acetone, (aka nail polish remover). It works great on spray paint, which is what you're likely dealing with. Happy to see that George liked it!!

Yup, and the Edison horn and Edison reproducer do not belong with it. The horn could be made to work, but it’s a bit of an inappropriate mismatch.

The reproducer seems to have issues as well, so just set it aside. I’m confused about the remark on stripping and repainting the horn. Unless it’s lost a lot of paint, the original black paint with gold pinstripes should be fine. It’s only original once.

You should be able to find the correct Columbia reproducer for it (search on Columbia “Lyric” reproducer), and a simple “witch’s hat” horn will work well and is readily available.

Good luck.

PeterF wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:23 pm I’m confused about the remark on stripping and repainting the horn.

Good luck.

As to the horn stripping, read the original posting. Also, nobody said anything about repainting...

George loved the Columbia BN Gramophone! First question... What should I strip the paint on the horn with. We would prefer it to be the original than the spray painted silver.

I interpreted the sentence as implying a plan to spray paint the thing silver, since the photo shows a black horn.

PeterF wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 3:34 pm I interpreted the sentence as implying a plan to spray paint the thing silver, since the photo shows a black horn.

The original posting is a bit confusing, but...the OP first came to us a while back asking about restoration of a machine intended as a gift to fiancee (if I remember correctly). I assume that's "George." That machine, inter alia, had a horn that had been spray painted silver. Took me a moment, but then I realized that's the subject of the question in the original posting here, together with followup telling us that the machine has now been given to its intended recipient and was received with pleasure. In short, a nice "close the circle" instead of the ever-so-common "I want help I want help" then silence after said help is forthcoming. I, for one, am grateful for that! Anyhow, the questions about the Columbia cylinder machine and the console disk machine are separate matters.

JerryVan wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:20 pm To remove the silver paint on the BN horn you could try acetone, (aka nail polish remover). It works great on spray paint, which is what you're likely dealing with. Happy to see that George liked it!!

Thank you!

Sorry for the confusion! Yes, the silver paint removal was a question for the original Columbia BN I purchased for my fiance, George! Not pictured in this post. The other two machines were just two I found interesting... Now that I've caught the bug!