The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My grandparents bought a Cecilian when they "went to housekeeping" (when they got married) That would have been 1923. I have been restoring that machine and have come across some numbers stamped in the area under the piano hinge for the lid. From left to right as you stand behind the machine the numbers are: 8 73 433 .... does anyone know what the numbers mean?

I think that it may be a production code, or a serial number, to help with assembling all the correct parts into the correct machine. You may find the number hidden away in other areas of the cabinet as well.

I wondered if the numbers indicate 8 (month)

73 (year) and I might be seeing a 7 when it should be a 2 -- that would make the number 23 --the year they were married 1923

and the 433 could be the number of units made so far when mine came off the line???

Those are batch or lot numbers. They mean nothing at this point, & they were probably there so the guys in manufacturing wouldn't mix up the matched wood grain parts. Nothing more. Other makers had them too. You'll see chalk marks in cabinets too. All meaningless for the mass produced machines.

(I see now that a previous poster made similar comments)

thank you, sounds like you know your stuff ... might you know what would be the best way to repair or replace winding mech?

... can send picture if that will help.