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A friend just found this. Does anyone have info on it, as it's unusual in the U.S.

I came across this and thought it was very interesting.

Maybe it is rare in Europe to find one of these too ?

As Curt A mentioned, 'Does anyone have info on it' ?

Like when it was made etc ?

poodling around wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 11:52 am I came across this and thought it was very interesting.

Maybe it is rare in Europe to find one of these too ?

As Curt A mentioned, 'Does anyone have info on it' ?

Like when it was made etc ?

I have one, see photos below, including the Austrian seller's logo. It is probably from 1915-20 (Polydor started in 1913). I could not find any specific information about it. It is not a common machine in Germany, especially in working condition with its coin op mechanism intact. After fading out of fashion in bars, most of these machines had the coin op removed and remained in use in homes.

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 6:54 am

poodling around wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 11:52 am I came across this and thought it was very interesting.

Maybe it is rare in Europe to find one of these too ?

As Curt A mentioned, 'Does anyone have info on it' ?

Like when it was made etc ?

I have one, see photos below, including the Austrian seller's logo. It is probably from 1915-20 (Polydor started in 1913). I could not find any specific information about it. It is not a common machine in Germany, especially in working condition with its coin op mechanism intact. After fading out of fashion in bars, most of these machines had the coin op removed and remained in use in homes.

Thank you very much indeed CarlosV - very interesting information indeed.

Can I ask please, does your machine still have the coin op mechanism intact ?

Also, does it still have the 'coin slot' and if so, is it on one of the the sides of the machine I wonder ?

poodling around wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:41 am
Can I ask please, does your machine still have the coin op mechanism intact ?

Also, does it still have the 'coin slot' and if so, is it on one of the the sides of the machine I wonder ?

Yes, the coin op mechanism works well. The slot is on the same side as the one pictured at the start of the thread, see photo below. The coin value s not written there, I suppose because it was sold in Austria and not in Germany, but in any case it works with the German 10 pfenning coin.

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:28 am

poodling around wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:41 am
Can I ask please, does your machine still have the coin op mechanism intact ?

Also, does it still have the 'coin slot' and if so, is it on one of the the sides of the machine I wonder ?

Yes, the coin op mechanism works well. The slot is on the same side as the one pictured at the start of the thread, see photo below. The coin value s not written there, I suppose because it was sold in Austria and not in Germany, but in any case it works with the German 10 pfenning coin.

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for acquiring such currency today? Obviously, I am only looking to acquire a few dozen coins at the most! I have several German coin-ops, but don't want to risk getting the mechanisms seized up with the use of non-original but similar sized (probably British) coins.
Many thanks.

Polydor was a product of the Polyphon company based in Leipzig. Date-wise, late 1920's

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:28 am

poodling around wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:41 am
Can I ask please, does your machine still have the coin op mechanism intact ?

Also, does it still have the 'coin slot' and if so, is it on one of the the sides of the machine I wonder ?

Yes, the coin op mechanism works well. The slot is on the same side as the one pictured at the start of the thread, see photo below. The coin value s not written there, I suppose because it was sold in Austria and not in Germany, but in any case it works with the German 10 pfenning coin.

Very interesting indeed. It is really great having the working mechanism too.

Can I ask you something more please ?

What does it look like when the front doors are open ? Is there just one horn behind the left hand side door, (where the sound comes out of) and nothing behind the right hand side door ?

Also, was the gramophone lid meant to be closed when it started playing do you think ?

Thank you so very much once again.

Steve wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 10:09 am

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:28 am

poodling around wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:41 am
Can I ask please, does your machine still have the coin op mechanism intact ?

Also, does it still have the 'coin slot' and if so, is it on one of the the sides of the machine I wonder ?

Yes, the coin op mechanism works well. The slot is on the same side as the one pictured at the start of the thread, see photo below. The coin value s not written there, I suppose because it was sold in Austria and not in Germany, but in any case it works with the German 10 pfenning coin.

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for acquiring such currency today? Obviously, I am only looking to acquire a few dozen coins at the most! I have several German coin-ops, but don't want to risk getting the mechanisms seized up with the use of non-original but similar sized (probably British) coins.
Many thanks.

In terms of your German coin-ops, what do they look like when the front doors are open I wonder ? Is there just one horn behind the left hand side door, (where the sound comes out of) and nothing behind the right hand side door ? Also, do they all have the coin slot on the top motor-board or are some on the side ?

Thanks Steve as always !

poodling around wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 2:03 pm

Steve wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 10:09 am

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:28 am

Yes, the coin op mechanism works well. The slot is on the same side as the one pictured at the start of the thread, see photo below. The coin value s not written there, I suppose because it was sold in Austria and not in Germany, but in any case it works with the German 10 pfenning coin.

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for acquiring such currency today? Obviously, I am only looking to acquire a few dozen coins at the most! I have several German coin-ops, but don't want to risk getting the mechanisms seized up with the use of non-original but similar sized (probably British) coins.
Many thanks.

In terms of your German coin-ops, what do they look like when the front doors are open I wonder ? Is there just one horn behind the left hand side door, (where the sound comes out of) and nothing behind the right hand side door ? Also, do they all have the coin slot on the top motor-board or are some on the side ?

Thanks Steve as always !

They don't have any doors, they are large external horn models. The coin slots are on the top.