The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings. The pictured, uh, *thing* was in the bottom drawer of my Columbia Grafonola Nonpareil (early style) when I found it at a junk shop a while back, and I have been unable to figure out what it is, much less how to use it. As you can see, it's stamped "Columbia," so I assume the original owner bought it at the dealership at the time they purchased the machine (c. 1911) or shortly thereafter. The upright rod with base plate swivels around 360 degrees. If anyone can tell me more about this mysterious accessory (if it was an accessory), or even share some theories, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

It's a brake.
Dave D

One of those semiautomatic brakes that you set before playing the record, then at the end the tonearm touches the vertical post which triggers the brake.

Thank you both. This seems like an odd thing for someone to have bought for a Nonpareil, as I imagine they weren't introduced until later. And I can't tell how one of these would be installed on my machine. Any thoughts?

I have in the box with the directions, see pictures attached.Hope it helps.
Dan

Your welcome

Oops replied to wrong thread