A Skeleton for Halloween

[AudioAntique]

Halloween is a time when ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and skeletons come out to haunt. At the recent Stanton auction of Don Gfell items, a unique Edison Spring Motor phonograph came home with us. Lack of information and history of this machine is haunting me. I’m seeking any information or comments you can offer regarding this machine. {i.e., dating, origin, missing parts, existing examples.) 

 

The machine appears to be a “skeletal” model, or at least the upper casting is a skeletal design. Apparently, it has been modified or updated after 1908 with a 2/4-minute attachment including the mandrel, feed screw, gearing, and 2/4 switch assemblies and possibly the half nut bar. The machine retains the Class M style end gate and original carriage. At some point, an owner thought it appropriate to add some decorative gold striping designs to the carriage and upper works which obviously were not original. Some of those remnants remain after cleaning. The carriage has the “plunger” type shaving device attached. The carriage lift-lever has a small notch on the end and can be positioned to raise the reproducer quite high by placing the end of the lever on the glide bar. There is no lever rest on the casting as in the skeletal Home. The end gate is secured by a single turn of the ball at the right end of the casting. The sleeve and spring assembly of the bale may be missing. The “Standard Speaker” has a 2-minute stylus bar. Only one small, knurled screw remains to secure the reproducer. I assume the reproducer was held on with two curved plates. The adjusting screw does not reach the reproducer arm. I would like to know what is missing or is correct for this model.

 

There are no markings, numbers, or tags to be found on the skeletal casting, nor on the bedplate, other than the Edison umbrella signature trademark. The three spring Triton motor is numbered 9972 and has a three-weight governor. It is mounted to the bedplate on rubber cushions. The crank is a black “S” curve with a square hole to slip on the winding shaft. The oak case has the accessory drawer and a lid that envelopes the whole machine with a spring clip on each side. George Frow makes brief mention of the existence of a skeletal Spring Motor but offers no details. Skeletal homes have been well researched and documented as being produced in 1897. (The Antique Phonograph, June 2024.) The Edison Spring Motor was introduced in 1896 and by 1901 sold as the Triumph with a new style cabinet. Would this model have been produced at about the same time as the skeletal Home in 1897? Besides reducing the weight by several ounces, what other advantages would this model offer?

 

Any information or thoughts regarding this machine would be appreciated.

 

Thank you,
Robin & Joan R.

 

[phonogfp]

That's a real puzzler.

 

I see no reason nor advantage to this "skeleton" design on a Spring Motor.  If it weren't for the vestigial belt-tightening screw below the mandrel I'd be tempted to believe this wasn't an Edison casting.  Lacking the Class M-type lugs, that screw would have no business being there if it WEREN'T Edison, so I have no doubt this came from West Orange.

 

The bed plate and motor date from no earlier than 1898 (probably post May 31, 1898).  Triton motors in this number range are found in Spring Motors in the 28,000 block.  The bed plate lacks the data plates typically seen on Spring Motors of this vintage, suggesting that it's later than the motor.  If the upper casting is original to this bed plate and/or motor, it dates significantly later than the "skeleton" or "open-frame" Homes of 1897.  On the other hand, it may have been an earlier experimental casting that was eventually placed into inventory and assembled on an otherwise typical Spring Motor.

 

In any event, it's certainly an interesting machine.  Congratulations!

 

George P.

[AudioAntique]

Thank you for you valued insight and keen observations. I had no idea that hidden screw had any functional purpose or could serve to identify the casting’s origin. You are amazing. The later date of the motor and bed plate is puzzling. Only the “spirits of West Orange” may know how this machine came together. It is an interesting machine with added features. Your comments are appreciated.

 

Rob

[phonogfp]

Thanks for posting it!

 

George P.

[Tinfoilphono]

That's an amazing machine. Who wouldn't love such a mystery? I wish Don had left some history about his collection. It would be fascinating to know where it came from.