Help with my HMV portables

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
zapper
Victor II
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Help with my HMV portables

Post by zapper »

I have a green HMV101,which I have had for many years with a #4 soundbox. The original potmetal back was broken so I must have replaced it with a brass back. Not too good case but plays well. I have attached a photo of the disc under the turntable. Can anyone give me an idea of date for this one.
I also have a red #97c for parts. Does anyone require anything in particular. Let me know.
Zapper
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epigramophone
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by epigramophone »

According to Dave Cooper's book "The Perfect Portable Gramophone", the green 101 was introduced in January 1929 and was produced until the 102 replaced it during 1931.

gramophoneshane
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by gramophoneshane »

I believe the date code was introduced in 1936 as B/1, so the code on your red 97c portable, B/3 indicates it was manufactured in 1938.

GramophoneSmith
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by GramophoneSmith »

The circular ivorine disc without the border appeared some time in 1930 according to His Masters Gramophone book. the B code began in 1936. B=1936, B/1=1937 etc.

gramophoneshane
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by gramophoneshane »

GramophoneSmith wrote:The circular ivorine disc without the border appeared some time in 1930 according to His Masters Gramophone book. the B code began in 1936. B=1936, B/1=1937 etc.
My apologies. I thought B/1 was 1936 so I must have been dating all my portables wrong.

So do machines from 1936 actually just have a "B" or are they marked B/0?

gramophoneshane
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by gramophoneshane »

Bump

leels1
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by leels1 »

Just a B. So the top example is 1939.

Why B though…. Why not just A as it’s the first letter of the alphabet?!?

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Steve
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by Steve »

I'm a year too late probably but I need a winding handle for a 97 (94).

PM me please if you can help.

Thanks

Steve

Oedipus
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by Oedipus »

The 'B' is the factory code for acoustic gramophones.

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Inigo
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Re: Help with my HMV portables

Post by Inigo »

What would be the 'A' code, if it ever existed?
((when I read the subject title, help with hmv gramophones, and related to that other thread about psychological help for antique hoarders like us, I'm tempted to answer :
HELP! I LIKE'EM TOO. MUCH!!!)) 🤣🤣
Inigo

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