Serial Number lookup

[msteele]

I have an Edison phonograph and am wondering what model and what year it is from. I think it is a model C, the serial number is 418742. Can anyone tell me when it was made and more about the model?

Thanks, Mike

[lucius1958]

Photos would help.

BillS

[msteele]

Here are some pictures, I will get more tonight if needed

Attachments:

[lucius1958]

OK: that's a Model B Standard, probably 1906/7 (the 'Edison' decal was introduced sometime in 1906, and the 'signature' trade mark was redesigned around 1907). George F. Paul has a partial list of Edison serial number data, and might be able to tell you approximately when it left the factory. The combination 2/4 minute gearing was added after 1908; there should be a sloping gear cover over that, which should not be too hard to find.

It looks like you have an H (4 minute) reproducer on it: what condition is it in? With that rebuilt, and adding a C (2 minute) reproducer as well, you should be able to play most cylinders commonly available: black wax, wax Amberols, and Blue Amberols, as well as 2 and 4 minute Indestructibles and Everlastings, by changing the reproducer and setting the gearing appropriately.

Good luck and happy cranking!

BillS

[msteele]

Thanks for the information. I do have a "c" reproducer :-)  It is in really good shape and I have gone through the gears and cleaned them up and re-oil them. I'm not quite sure how to change the gearing. I'll look into that. I just had the reproducers rebuilt.

Thanks again, 
Michael

[lucius1958]

You're welcome!

The knurled knob on the left is pushed in or pulled out to change the gearing.

BillS

[collector60490]

Your Standard left the factory in February of 1907.  The December 2023 edition of The Antique Phonograph includes a long article on Standards that is complete with a serial number dating chart for the models.