Columbia Graphophone Type AB Macdonald



This article is part of the ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH, GRAMOPHONE AND TALKING MACHINE GUIDES.
SEE ALSO: Our listings of outside horn talking machines for sale.


A few additional photographs of the Columbia Graphophone Type AB, most commonly referred to as the Macdonald. Thomas Macdonald was Columbia's factory manager and chief engineer, and held a number of significant patents. This open works machine with interchangeable two and five inch mandrels is clearly modelled after the Columbia Q and Columbia Eagle. Although many Columbia machines had a model designation stamped on the left of the chassis this Macdonald carries no . The speed control is marked in gradations, unusual for a Graphophone. This machine is stamped with a six digit serial number on the right front bedplate, but it is impossible that Columbia manufactured that many examples. Judging from the number I have seen, production would have been at most in the low thousands, and possibly significantly less than that.

Columbia AB pair of mandrels
Five inch mandrel was securely snugged over the two inch mandrel.
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Columbia AB Macdonald side view
The wing nut on the chassis is loosened and the two inch mandrel is slid into playing position.
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Columbia AB with small mandrel
Five inch mandrel removed.
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Columbia Graphophone Type AB Macdonald
The all-envelopping lid was secured with only one latch.
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330 325-7866

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