The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was at a home decor salvage-type place today, glancing through cardboard boxes on tables filled with random tools, cabinet knobs, drawer pulls etc. I was really shocked to find this lying in one of the bins:






On first glance, it's definitely something Columbia related, possibly Talkophone. There's a November (18th? it's hard to read) 1902 patent date listed beneath the mica. However, a comparison with my Talkophone machine's reproducer shows the throat is built in, not removable with three screws like this one. Anybody have any ideas as to what this could be?

Sorry I cant help with identification, but it's certainly an interesting & fairly early soundbox design.
It'll be intersting to hear what it turns out to be. Nice find indeed!

Nice find! Apart from the patent date, November 18, 1902, the notch in the rim of the soundbox and the divided spring-wire ring identifies it at once as Talk-O-Phone soundbox.

It is an improved type of the 1902 design, therefore I don't think it is very early. My guess is around 1905.

Here is your soundbox mounted on a Talk-O-Phone Sousa:

Many thanks for the info! Interestingly, the reproducer on my (very late) Talkophone machine appears to be pot metal, while this one looks like brass.

For a the dollar I paid for it, I'm sure I'm ahead of the game here.