Columbia BWT

[Revoxb77]

Hi from New Zealand. 
 

I recently acquired a Columbia Disc graphophone. It is labelled as a Columbia machine with the graphic on the front and on the tin horn. Inside is a notice stating that it is a BWT model but there is very little I can find about the BWT online. It seems to be in very good condition. 
 

Am I right in thinking that this is actually a client model - perhaps a Harmony - that has either been badged as a Columbia when it first arrived here in New Zealand or perhaps someone has added the graphics later? How old would this machine be?

 

it has a single spring motor that seems to  work ok although I think it is in need of a service as it appears to struggle to get up to 78rpm. The governor starts making a loud rattling noise when the speed control starts getting near the correct speed. 
 

The reproducer needs to be repaired and I haven’t been able to work out what sort of reproducer it is.

 

I am more a collector of tape devices so thanks in advance for any information that the experts here may be able to tell me about the machine. 
 

Ben

[Jerry]

Above all, I would trust the internal label. As to whether it's a client machine, rebadged as a Columbia, that's a bit of a moot point, since client machines were in fact Columbia machines. The decal on the cabinet is a reproduction, suggesting that the cabinet has been refinished. Not saying the decal style and placement isn't correct, just that it's a reproduction. I don't know what was necessarily done in NZ, but I'm fairly certain that the floral decals on the back bracket do not belong there at all. You also mention a decal on the horn. Unless that's a NZ thing, I would also have my doubts about that being authentic. 

 

Look at the weights on your governor. The scuff marks on the tops of the weights are caused by them hitting the motor frame. That's most likely the source of your noise. 

 

Not sure what you mean by "...what sort of reproducer it is..." It's a Columbia reproducer, needing new gaskets. I have no reason to believe that it's not 100% correct for your machine. By its "Columbia" marking, it's further proof of your machine being a "Columbia" and not a rebadged "something else."

 

All that being said, that is a very nice machine! 

 

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 04:20 PM by Jerry

[Revoxb77]

Thank you very much for the reply Jerry. Would you have any idea how old the machine is? 
 

Sorry, I should have been clearer about the reproducer - I was wondering what model of Columbia reproducer it is - I have seen some online that have a metal part that seems to hold the gaskets in place that this one doesn’t have. I am trying to source the correct width gasket or gasket tubing to have the reproducer repaired. 

 

My next challenge is to find someone who can service the motor here in NZ and hopefully that will allow it to get up to top speed. 
 

Thanks again for the information Jerry.