Can you ID this gramophone?

[Phono48]

Here's one for all you "portable" collectors.
I bought this recently, but it's not all it seems to be. What do you think it is?

Barry

[kirtley2012]

That's a HMV 102

[soundgen]

That's a HMV 102

Not that colour it isn't , where is the HMV logo pad pics plaese

[soundgen]

Soundbox looks Russian !

[Phono48]

[quote="soundgenwhere is the HMV logo pad pics plaese[/quote]


All will be revealed in a day or so!

[kirtley2012]

Now, the more I see it, the more I realise that a glance was not what it needed.

the edge of the turntable appears to be rounded, no HMV pad, the soundbox not quite right

I believe i'll be with soundgen, one of those Russian HMV 102 copy's

[Phono48]

No point in waiting a day or so,I didn't think it would be that easy. You are right, it's a Russian machine. I've never actually seen one "in the flesh", only pictures. What I didn't realise when I bought it (unseen) was that it was a blatant copy of the 102. I thought it was made under licence from HMV, as many of the "overseas" models were. It was only when I took it to bits that I realised that although nearly everything is identical to the 102, it is all of a lesser quality. For instance, the lid stay was badly bent, so I found an original HMV one to replace it. The HMV version is about twice as thick as the Russian version, but the screw holes are in the same place, as they are on all the internal fittings, it's just that they are all made of thinner material. Even the motor is made to look virtually the same as the HMV 270. The only obvious differences are the soundbox and the turntable, both of which are, to be honest, vast improvements on the HMV versions. The soundbox uses the same "spider" on the diaphragm, but uses thick rubber gaskets rather than the thin felt ones, and no pot-metal to worry about. The turntable has a groove to tuck the edge of the felt into, whereas it's a heck of a job to get a perfect circle when replacing it on an HMV platter. Although not exactly what I expected, I'm pleased with it, but can't help wondering if HMV ever tried legal proceedings against the makers, as it's clearly a breach of copyright. More pics below.(hopefully). I thought the red of the late 102s was bright, but this shade hurts your eyes!

[soundgen]

Here's a blue one ! Different badge !

[Phono48]

That's interesting, Mike, thanks for the photos. I note that the blue one has the manual brake in the usual position for a 102, whereas mine has it where the 101 brake was. Any idea of age on these things. I assumed 1950s, going by the brilliant red rexine?

Barry

[epigramophone]

Here is mine alongside a "real" 102 for comparison. Almost every measurement is different.

As to copyright infringement, these Russian machines are from the era of Stalin, and I doubt that any threats from EMI's legal department would have had much impact!