Columbia Graphophone Grand GG Questions

[phono-farm]

Back in 2016 I posted here that I had found a Graphophone Grand type GG and hoped to restore it that winter. I still haven't touched it and looking at it now, I have a few questions.
1. Opening the front door and looking inside the cabinet, I see a sliding metal bar on each side of the cabinet. What are these for? I'm wondering if it is missing something.
2. The reproducer carriage and the part that holds the half-nut rotate independently on the rear rod - are they supposed to work that way?
3. It requires a slotted crank but has a correct looking threaded crank with it plus a homemade slotted crank. What machine would have used the threaded crank?
4. Does anyone have an instruction manual available for the Graphophone Grand (GG)?

Thanks!

[JerryVan]

Pictures would help...

[phonogfp]

Without pictures, I can tell you this much:

1) The metal bars are for locking and unlocking the lid.

2) Yes.

3) Many, many machines used threaded cranks.

4) I've never seen one. The operation is very similar to other Graphophones and Edisons of the period.

Hope this helps,
George P.

[ChuckA]

The second production run of GG's (high serial numbers like yours) used the threaded crank.

I've never seen a manual for one, I bought one from original owners family with records, long horn and crane. Was stored in a closet in the house but no paperwork.

Chuck

[phono-farm]

The second production run of GG's (high serial numbers like yours) used the threaded crank.

Thanks! You must have looked back at my 2016 post for the serial number. There are no threads on the winding shaft on this one and there is a pin through the shaft for a slotted crank, so maybe someone changed some parts? The spring seems to be broken or disconnected inside since there is no tension while winding it, and there are some screws missing on the barrels so someone's tinkered with it. If any of you remember Dewitt Bills, he lived just a few miles from me and right now I'm wishing he was still around to service this.

Here are some photos;

[phono-farm]

The metal bars are for locking and unlocking the lid.

Thanks for answering my questions! This machine is missing the lid so I guess that's why it wasn't obvious what those two sliding bars were for.

[phono-farm]

Here is an interesting 1898 article about the Graphophone Grand, including interesting commentary about Edison. It is the earliest reference to this machine that I know of:

[ChuckA]

I just looked at my database on the GG and it appears I spoke too soon, I didn't document the crank style on any of the GG's I have info on.

Compared to my machine with a slip off crank your crank connection is original, same as mine. Your picture just shows the collar pushed against the pins instead
of against the frame, appears a small pin is missing in the collar.

Chuck

[phono-farm]

appears a small pin is missing in the collar.

I see what you mean. When I take this apart, I'll see if I can put a pin in there. I guess I'm in the market for a slip-off crank styled like the threaded crank that I have.