Unusual HMV 100 Portable

[Phono48]

I recently bought this machine, which, at first glance appears to be standard HMV 100 portable. However, I've noticed that there are differences between this and all the other 100s I've seen. The most obvious is that the usual stays either side of the record pocket are not fitted. Instead, the covering material of the lid has been extended to form folded "hinges", which are fastened to the sides of the lid with small metal plates. The lid stay is on the left of the cabinet, whereas it is usually on the right, and the speed control, where it contacts the actuating lever that sticks through the motor board, is to the right of the lever, instead of the left, as in other versions. Note the rather cumbersome and fragile rest for the crook and soundbox, which was superceded by a simple pin on the crook, and a spring steel bar on the main part of the arm.

Does this mean, I wonder, that this is a very early version, and that the above differences were discontinued in favour of the usual equipment seen on the 100?

Barry

[tinovanderzwan]

the EMG colonel on youtube demonstrated the same differences between the earlier and later model 100 machines about a week ago

tino

[Phono48]

Dave Cooper states in his excellent book that in some cases, the 100 has a small black plate inside the case with a serial number on it. I just checked mine and it's there, with the number 1993. As the two Dave has examined were numbered 3705 and 15986, and the one pictured in the book is 4853, this must indeed be a very early machine. It would be interesting to find out how many were made before the modifications were carried out.

Barry

[Henry]

That's a beautiful little machine, Barry. congratulations!

What is the function of the metal clip that I see at the back left corner, held by two screws?

[Phono48]

Thanks, Henry.
The clip is to hold the crook and soundbox. The whole arm raises from this position as it's moved towards the edge of the record, and lowers as it's pushed back towards the clip. They say a picture's worth a thousand words, so here you are:

Barry

[Henry]

Aha! Thanks for the visual clarification. I see that you did refer to this in your original post, but I failed to apprehend. (Or comprehend. Or reprehend. Or one o' them thar -prehends!)

[Phono48]

No, you didn't fail to comprehend! The one I was referring to in the original post was the one just behind the joint between the main arm and the crook, that the soundbox rests on between records. (first photo). It was missing when I bought the machine, and a fellow collector kindly sent me details of an original, so I was able to make one from a piece of broken mainspring!

Barry

[Marco Gilardetti]

Thanks for posting, Barry, that was very interesting!

I also own a 100 (a "normal" variation) and I literally love this machine. Although geometry and acoustics are only so and so, the goose neck / tapered arm combo is a marvel to look at, and the turn-to-raise mechanism is just awesome. Also, the motor is very powerful (at least, mine is) and it performs superbly even on records where usually all other portables fail.

You did a great job with the arm stand: I wouldn't have figured it was made with scraps, hadn't you told us.

[Phono48]

Thanks for the kind comments, Marco.

When I bought it on eBay, I hadn't noticed the differences between this and the "standard" model. It was only when I decided to give it an overhaul that they became apparent. Information about the very early models is hard to find, but if anything does turn up, I'll post it on the forum.

Barry

[poodling around]

Dave Cooper states in his excellent book that in some cases, the 100 has a small black plate inside the case with a serial number on it. I just checked mine and it's there, with the number 1993. As the two Dave has examined were numbered 3705 and 15986, and the one pictured in the book is 4853, this must indeed be a very early machine. It would be interesting to find out how many were made before the modifications were carried out.

Barry

I hope it is okay to revive this thread.

I found it so very interesting that I recently bought an HMV 100.

You mentioned "It would be interesting to find out how many were made before the modifications were carried out".

I was very surprised to see that mine seems to be quite a late production number but has some parts which seem to be from the 'initial left hand side hinge production' model and some from the later 'right hand side hinge' model.

I assume therefore that the older parts were used up and slowly but surely the 100's were produced entirely with the new ones.

But there seems to be a long gap (period of time) between your number 1993 and my number 7382 - which surprised me.

Anyway, my machine seems to have the older version speed control, turntable and motor setup. Maybe the latch /catch too? Very sadly the winding escutcheon has disappeared - so that is unknown. (Photo's below').

The 'new' features are the metal hinged record storage and lid hinge is on the right hand side.

I didn't understand the comments about 'The clip holding the crook and soundbox' - but include a photo below in case this indicates new or old parts stock.

So, mine appears to be partly old parts and partly new parts ?