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Unusual BCN Thorn Needles ?
Posted: Sun May 03, 2026 9:58 am
by poodling around
I haven't seen these before and wonder if they are unusual ?
Basically, these don't have 'a thin metallic coating on the shank' of the thorn needles but the pack contains 10 thorn needles and one 'steel cap' - which I think is best described as a metal 'sleeve'.
The thorn needles partially slide into the sleeve and they are then attached to the reproducer / pick-up.
Thank you as always for any information / help you can give as always.
Re: Unusual BCN Thorn Needles ?
Posted: Sun May 03, 2026 12:08 pm
by Orchorsol
I must have a look through my many dozens of old packs of BCNs, but I don't recall ever seeing or reading about this before!
The very first commercial product around 1928 had a metallic coating on the shank (possibly just some kind of gold or silver paint) but this was very short-lived and I believe nothing to do with electrical pickups.
I've found that BCNs with no metallic coating or sleeve work fine with various electrical pickups so I'm not sure why this could have been necessary, or for which kinds of pickup designs. I'd be fascinated to hear from anyone who knows.
Could we see a photo of the metallic part please?
Re: Unusual BCN Thorn Needles ?
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 4:00 am
by poodling around
Orchorsol wrote: Sun May 03, 2026 12:08 pm
I must have a look through my many dozens of old packs of BCNs, but I don't recall ever seeing or reading about this before!
The very first commercial product around 1928 had a metallic coating on the shank (possibly just some kind of gold or silver paint) but this was very short-lived and I believe nothing to do with electrical pickups.
I've found that BCNs with no metallic coating or sleeve work fine with various electrical pickups so I'm not sure why this could have been necessary, or for which kinds of pickup designs. I'd be fascinated to hear from anyone who knows.
Could we see a photo of the metallic part please?
Very interesting indeed. Thank you Orchorsol.
Yes, of course.
I 'attach' four photographs below.
I initially wondered why the packaging stated 'steel caps' when I only had one in the pack - but I know see that there were two, one on either end of the ten thorn needles.
The remaining cap I have is rusted quite a lot but hopefully the photographs show how the thorn needles slot into it. The other end of the 'cap' is solid - there is no needle hole.
Fascinating stuff indeed !
Re: Unusual BCN Thorn Needles ?
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 5:24 am
by poodling around
Orchorsol wrote: Sun May 03, 2026 12:08 pm
I must have a look through my many dozens of old packs of BCNs, but I don't recall ever seeing or reading about this before!
The very first commercial product around 1928 had a metallic coating on the shank (possibly just some kind of gold or silver paint) but this was very short-lived and I believe nothing to do with electrical pickups.
I've found that BCNs with no metallic coating or sleeve work fine with various electrical pickups so I'm not sure why this could have been necessary, or for which kinds of pickup designs. I'd be fascinated to hear from anyone who knows.
Could we see a photo of the metallic part please?
Oh, I just had a look at the packaging and compared it with another one (sold without the steel caps) which seems to have been for sale at about the same time (Photograph of the non steel cap outer packaging below).
The steel cap item has a very differenr coloured paper (which doesn't show in the photographs below) and red writing. The other one has blue writing. Interestingly, the 'Directions' with the steel cap needles omits the 'Turn needle slightly in holder .... (etc) advice. I don't know why - maybe the steel cap use has something to do with it ? Anyway, very interesting indeed.
Re: Unusual BCN Thorn Needles ?
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 4:52 pm
by Orchorsol
Thanks, fascinating!
That Croydon address is one of several UK addresses where BCN (or their office) was based. One day I hope to uncover the sequence and dates.