The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'll try a new angle.

Looking for an all brass pedal horn with the screw on mount. Looking for something presentable to put on a Reginaphone music box.

Thanks in advance

Gary Blizzard

Did some of the Columbia screw-in horn leave the factory as all brass horns? I've seen some all brass ones but wondered if the nickel plating was washed off. I collect bicycles and use a mild acid to help remove rust from rims and other chrome parts. It worked so good so I thought I'd try it on a Columbia horn. It was a good thing it was a junker horn because the acid washed off the nickel plating leaving a brass horn.

I think you are right Jerry.

I don't think there was a columbia petaled horn with all brass finish. I think the polished brass ones you see occaisonally have had the nickle finish polished off or removed in some other way.

HI Jerry and thanks for the reply. That is interesting that the acid washed off the nickel plate. What did you use Muratic Acid??

I am going to check and see if it works on some old painted junk horns that I have. Would be nice to find one that is all brass but painted overtop.

Probably alot of work polishing it out though.

Gary Blizzard

I think Jerry is right. There were no "brass finished" Columbia petaled horns that I know of. I believe the nickel finished ones were all brass underneath so while a polished brass horn might look nice, it probably would not have been offered that way originally.

I checked the plastic jug of my mild acid and it says it's "Hydrofluoric Acid less than 60% strength". It works great on slightly rusty bike rims and other chrome parts. I wear disposable rubber gloves and safety glasses as a precaution. I use 0000 steel wool and little brass brushes the size of a toothbrush to remove rust. Fifty year old rims come out like new. It works great BUT DON'T TRY IT ON NICKEL PLATED PHONO PARTS. (unless you want to wash off nickel and have a brass horn!) Jerry B.

Jerry:

Mild acid !!!! HF is one of the most toxic and corrosive acids known. Plastic is one of the few materials that it won't eat through. Most commonly used for etching glass, if left in contact with glass it will dissolve it. This should NEVER be handled or opened without complete face shield, goggles, rubber gloves, and respirator. PLEASE be very careful with it. Hopefully it is a weak solution, but anything over 10% would be very hazardous.