The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all
Can anyone help with the identification of this gramophone. Looks like a Zonophone, but not sure.

Yes it’s a Zonophone from the Roy Woodcock Collection. Basically it’s all there except the soundbox is later. The winding handle is very unusual.

That's not the travelling arm I would expect to see with that machine. Those rod type travelling arms always seem to be associated with the fancier scrollwork type back brackets. I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, just that I've never seen that combination before now. The tall horn support is also odd.

JerryVan wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:40 am That's not the travelling arm I would expect to see with that machine. Those rod type travelling arms always seem to be associated with the fancier scrollwork type back brackets. I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, just that I've never seen that combination before now. The tall horn support is also odd.

I think that’s true of American Zonophones and even in Europe the rod type travelling arm is more often associated with longer horns although not necessarily with fancy brackets. With European Zonophones it’s impossible to say for certain. Normally the cranks look the same as their American counterparts, what do you make of this one? I’ve never seen another crank like it on any machine.

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:34 am

JerryVan wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:40 am That's not the travelling arm I would expect to see with that machine. Those rod type travelling arms always seem to be associated with the fancier scrollwork type back brackets. I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, just that I've never seen that combination before now. The tall horn support is also odd.

I think that’s true of American Zonophones and even in Europe the rod type travelling arm is more often associated with longer horns although not necessarily with fancy brackets. With European machines it’s impossible to say for certain. Normally the cranks look the same as their American counterparts, what do you make of this one? I’ve never seen another crank like it on any machine.

As to the crank, I am very skeptical. If the picture were better, it would certainly help matters some. Like you, I have never seen such a crank.

The OP picture is a bit fuzzy.

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:44 am The OP picture is a bit fuzzy.

Thanks!

Well, it's not homemade, and it's not new. It also seems to conform well to the shape of the cabinet. I would still question whether or not it's the original crank. That being said, I would not be anxious to remove it without further insight.

Looks a lot like a coffee grinder crank. Not saying it IS, though.

gramophone-georg wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 6:26 pm Looks a lot like a coffee grinder crank. Not saying it IS, though.

Now you mention it. It does look like a coffee grinder crank or a hand mincing machine.

Why doesn't much about this machine look right to me?