The Columbia Graphophone and Grafonola -- a beginner's guide. Part 2 - Model Identification - Rear Mounts
See also:
Columbia Graphophone Identification -- Front Mounts
See also:
Columbia Graphophone Identification -- Cylinder Graphophones
For more Columbia models, consult our
Antique Phonograph Identification Guide
Copyright 2007 Vicki Young
NOTE: As I mentioned in the
introductory section, I don't have a complete set of images, or at least good images, to give you. If I am aware of a machine
of which I do not have a picture I have mentioned it in the relevant listings. Some machines are also seen
in several, often subtle, variations which I don't cover here. The goal is to make a basic identification of your machine. My listing is not
comprehensive, but should cover 98 per cent of what you are likely to find.
Almost all machines of Columbia origin which were sold as a Graphophone had some type of Columbia decal on them. If your machine has original
finish, but does not have a Columbia decal, it may have been marketed as a house brand. I show you some common examples of this in the
listings.
Front mounting, the earliest system of springing the horn, placed the entire weight of the horn on the stylus. With rear mounting, the horn was clipped to an independent bracket, and only the weight of the tone arm was applied to the record. For more information about Columbia front mount variations, check out an article we posted several years ago, the Front Mount Columbia ID Guide.
Columbia BI
Columbia BN
Columbia BNW
Columbia BY. Large, serpentine mahogany machine.

Columbia BD and BJ. A large, rounded almost deco looking mahogany machine. The cabinet resembled that of the AY, AR. Two spring motor for the BJ, thre spring motor for the BD.

Columbia BII. Large oak machine comparable in size to Victor V.

Columbia BZ. Small machine with mahogany finish and bevelled corners.

Columbia BH. Similar in style to the BI, but a few inches shorter and with black painted back bracket rather than nickel back bracket.

Columbia BNWM. Mahogany version of the BNW.
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Columbia Graphophone Identification -- Cylinder Graphophones
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