My new father-in-law handed me this accordion on my wedding day and said "here, play this". I guess to him all cajuns walk around playing the accordion all the time. Anyway, I thought that someone on this board could tell me something about it. It doesn't have any markings, that I can find, of a builder or manufacturer. It sounds more German than anything. I was going to use just to learn a little something before shelling out the money for a good one, but it almost unplayable. Holes in the bellows, the air button on the back of the bass box is just a screw, and probably too many more problems to mention. Any info on this thing is appreciated.

Can't figure out photo posting so try the website link.

Does your father-in-law like you? Just kidding. It's probably one of those weird contraptions out of Czech. I have on all decorated like that with bicycles bells on it an it has little hammers to strike them. Put it on the shelf and dust it every once in a while.
Le Piquant

At first I thought it was a car radiator.Show up at a Cajun jam with that,that would be fun

it looks cheap, old, and german or czech

the horns are just decoration

wle

After pulling on it a few time I discovered it is all three of those things.

Whew, I'd hate to get a whiff of that one!

Here is the piccy by the way, it looks like a very interesting contraption:



Nout

Haiku:

Fireplace and firewood
Items to create a fire
Strange squeezebox can help

R!CK

!!

Yoku dekimash*ta Riki-San!

Perhaps it was a movie prop for Ron Howard's
production of the "Grinch who Stole Christmas"

(The colors in the photographs make it appear as if
it were cast of solid concrete.)

I'd say that this unit is destined to be a mantle-top
conversation piece.

Thanks for sharing w/us!

--Biggy

I found an accordion with "trumpets" on it in a 1913 catalogue of Leonidas (a kind of Dutch Sears Roebuck)
"finest concert-harmonica with big copper horns, which give a beautiful heavy trumpet sound".

Website #2.

Stay tuned I will post a picture of my treasure find.
Le Piquant

http://www.plaxo.com/profile/editPhotosInAlbum?album_id=54426&photo_id=1837253&ps=photo

Let's see if I did this right. Check out the hammers on the bass side.
Le Piquant

Il travaille pas.

I can't figure out how to post it.
Le Piquant

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50894136@N07/?saved=1

Cool, does it play?

It needs tuning but it plays.
Le Piquant

That is what I have. And I ain't bragging!
Le Piquant

Some even had small bells that could be played, or cymbals.

(Pictures 21/22/...):

http://jeanluc.matte.free.fr/articles/typologie/accordpub.htm

I had never seen so much.
Et même les pieds nickelés à la fin !!!

Marc.

I think they are called Helikons or something. I don't think the horns are just decorative. I picked up one like it this weekend at the accordion festival, and the horns on the bass side certainly gave out a very verbose OOM PAH PAH.

That's what that old Dutch ad that I posted said, too.
The horns serve as amplifiers.

****, I suddenly forgot how to read dutch. I hate when that happens!

Daar mis je niet veel aan Dwight!
In other words: You don't miss much, Dwight.
But here's what I said:

I found an accordion with "trumpets" on it in a 1913 catalogue of Leonidas (a kind of Dutch Sears Roebuck).
translated:
"finest concert-harmonica with big copper horns, which give a beautiful heavy trumpet sound".

Website #2.

Just like Gary Larsons' cartoon of "What you say, and what dogs hear", I understood "Dwight".

Put Larson on hold and try some B. Kliban next time.

R!CK

Never eat anything bigger than your head.

and

"Hey Europe, eat my Florida"

Though i am sure he could:



-nout

If he keeps that **** up, he won't be able to whistle.