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Just got my very first HMV gramophone from Craigslist. Seems to run pretty well, has some interesting hardware. Features a really convoluted horn configuration and a GOLDRING soundbox.

When I first saw it, I thought it might be a Victrola VV-10, the cabinet looks vintage enough, but the tone arm and soundbox are orthophonic, so had to be later than that. I know very little about UK machines. Anybody know what model this is and does it have a US counterpart?

You cansee more pictures at:

http://78records.cdbpdx.com/TTHMV/

Thanks!

CDB

You have a model 109. These were a transition to the reentrant models while victor still wouldnt let them use the folded horn. It should have the number 4 soundbox, that goldring is later but might sound good. I've got a 109 and it delivers a surprisingly good performance.

what you have there is a mahogany HMV model 109, it should have a HMV no.4 soundbox, the goldrings arent too bad, but not the best, i would reccomend getting the correct one, i used to have a hmv 103 a long time ago (long for me anyways) and it didnt sound too bad, the 109 is the larger version of the 103

That 109 happens to be in oak not mahogany. Dark oak with a varnished or waxed finish. I have one I picked up from a car show with a brass #4.

Damfino59 wrote:That 109 happens to be in oak not mahogany. Dark oak with a varnished or waxed finish. I have one I picked up from a car show with a brass #4.

woops, i was getting confused with the one i used to have which was mahogany!

Oak stained dark can be confusing! The HMV 109 is quite a nice little table model with the old school victrola look. With a rebuilt #4 it sounds like a much bigger machine. The US equivalent would be the Victrola I-70.

Have you looked under the used needle pot ? HMV Instruments of the period often have an ivorine circular ID disc
under the needle pot , which should give the Model number details. Of course , sometimes those little discs have gone missing over the years. Have a look , it may still be there. Regards , Dulcetto

Are my eyes playing tricks, or are the fittings gilt?

Not gilt, just very dirty.

Glancing at the His Master's Gramophone book, it states the 109 was introduced in October 1925 and that the slotted lid stay was used until September 1926. That narrows down the date of manufacture for your machine.

It should have a beaded edge turn table (similar to the orthophonic) with brown felt.

Question about the back of the machine, what is the purpose of the small slot?