Here is a disc musical box that plays not a flat disc, but rather a 'rolled up' disc in the form of a truncated cone.
It is called a 'Cuff Box' because the shape of the rolled up disc resembles that of a shirt cuff.
This musical box was made by F. G. Otto & Sons, Jersey City, NJ between 1889 and about 1900.
It has a single musical comb. It is played by the plucking of the teeth by star wheels, one starwheel for each tooth on the combs, the star wheels being turned by projections on the outside of the cuff.
This box shows a design change, compared to the example, above, placing the comb lower in the box, perhaps for improved acoustics.
Storage for additional 'Cuffs' is in a compartment in front of the bedplate.
Here is another example of a Capital Cuff Box. This one sits on a matching Cuff Storage Table.
The detachable winding handle is visible on the right.
The picture inside the lid is a typical lithgraph found in most dics boxes. Many of these pictures are trademark pictures of the manufacturers.
The Capital came in three sizes, and eight styles. Styles A and O took 4-1/2" long cuffs that were 2-1/2" in diameter at the smaller end and 3-3/8" in diameter at the larger end. Styles B and G took 5-1/2" cuffs that were 3-1/2" in diameter at the smaller end and 4-1/2" in diameter at the larger end. Styles C, D, E and F took 7-3/4" long cuffs that were 3-1/2" in diameter at the smaller end and 4-1/4" in diameter at the larger end.
Otto was involved in a patent infringement suit brought by the Regina Company and as a result only made this box for a relatively short period of time.
