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Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:28 pm
by barnettrp21122
I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?
His Master's Voice Mainspring stamping.jpg
His Master's Voice Mainspring stamping.jpg (52.06 KiB) Viewed 1831 times
HMV motor detail.jpg
Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:51 pm
by poodling around
barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?
His Master's Voice Mainspring stamping.jpg
HMV motor detail.jpg
Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob

I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ? :o

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:04 pm
by barnettrp21122
poodling around wrote:
barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?
The attachment His Master's Voice Mainspring stamping.jpg is no longer available
The attachment HMV motor detail.jpg is no longer available
Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob

I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ? :o
Here's a closer look at the stamping. Nipper almost looks more like a happy pig! :D
The whole impression is only a half-inch wide, so not much room for detail.
HMV spring stamping detail.jpg

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:11 pm
by poodling around
barnettrp21122 wrote:
poodling around wrote:
barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?
His Master's Voice Mainspring stamping.jpg
HMV motor detail.jpg
Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob

I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ? :o
Here's a closer look at the stamping. Nipper almost looks more like a happy pig! :D
The whole impression is only a half-inch wide, so not much room for detail.
HMV spring stamping detail.jpg

Wow!!! :o I have never heard of anything like this. I hope someone knows something.

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:22 pm
by VanEpsFan1914
Hi Barnett,

I have rebuilt a 1907 or 1908 Victor III, a 1914 Victrola XIV, and a 1930 Victrola 2-65 portable. All these machines were totally original stock.

Both the Victor III and the XIV had the mainsprings stamped! The machines were 100% unmolested, just worn out and damaged. The springs were broken but the stampings were there.

I do not remember on the 2-65. The mainspring in it was in five pieces, count 'em, five, and I was too busy tossing spring chips out and marveling at its ruined state to bother. Should have paid attention but I was sixteen and stupid.

I hope we can get some more pictures of it! They're really neat and I think the Victor stamping on the springs is kind of a nifty little tradition from back in the day.

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 12:57 am
by AZ*
Bob,

I've overhauled several HMV machines of this vintage (HMV 511, 32, 163, 192 etc.), and yes, I noticed Nipper stamped on the end of the spring. Although I didn't recall that he was quite so rotund. :D And as you stated, the hardened grease was the worst I've encountered. It was petrified and I could only remove it by scraping with a blade. It was nearly impervious to the usual solvents.

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 3:36 am
by emgcr
The competition also stamped their springs !

Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:27 am
by barnettrp21122
emgcr wrote:The competition also stamped their springs !
Interesting spring end! I recently cleaned a set of Garrard springs without looking for the stamping. I'll trust mine have them without going back to look! Thanks for the pic!
Bob