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Due to the current pandemic I just received this splendid machine that I bought a month ago.

For those who are new on this forum the Mod. 112 is essentially a giant mod. 101 equipped with a No. 32 double spring motor (housed in a deeper case) and double coloured fitting (gilded on the exterior and nickelled/chromed for the interior) which was sold exclusively in colonial territories. Two versions were available one made of teak covered with brown leatherette and the other made also in teak but with a mirror finish (I think varnish or a mixture was used).

Specifically I think that mine was one of the latter that have been produced before the introduction of its successor the Mod. 114.

The lid transfer is indeed the new one with the inscription "His Master's Voice" placed outside the framed Nipper logo.

The golden "stamp" (which indicates the model number) in this case it is almost in immaculate condition since being placed in the top left section of the motor board rather than the bottom left (under the lever of the hand brake).

It also have the new pakana carrying handle and unfortunately the dreadful pot metal HMV Mod. 4 soundbox.

All the fittings are chrome plated rather than nickel plated.

After a first inspection the finish is quite opaque but intact with the exception of some minor scratches and yellowish paint spurt. No rust or missing components just plenty of grime.

I do not think it will be a difficult restoration and I think the result will be quite good. Once completely dismantled I will try first to clean the wood with i.e. ammonia and then "cut" and polish the finish with some metal polish cream like i.e. Sidol.

More updates will come as soon I will start working on it.

The 112 is a nice model, congratulations! The one I have has a different carrying handle, but these machines were not standardized as the remainder of HMV's production.

Congratulations with your new HMV 112
It is always nice to see detailed photos of some of the more hard to find HMV models, and in particular the models you don't have yourself. There is always something new to learn, and nothing speaks better than photos:)

I have often wondered if the horn was re-designed in order to benefit from the increased depth of the cabinet. Should you take pictures while you rehaul it, I'd look at them with interest!

Marco Gilardetti wrote:I have often wondered if the horn was re-designed in order to benefit from the increased depth of the cabinet. Should you take pictures while you rehaul it, I'd look at them with interest!

Marco, the horn is deep, is goes down all the way to the bottom of the case, as the photo - more or less - shows. The shape is the same as the 101.

CarlosV wrote:The 112 is a nice model, congratulations! The one I have has a different carrying handle, but these machines were not standardized as the remainder of HMV's production.

Thank-you very much. I was looking for a Mod. 112 for while and I did not want one in brown leatherette. This one turned out quite unexpectedly!

nostalgia wrote:Congratulations with your new HMV 112
It is always nice to see detailed photos of some of the more hard to find HMV models, and in particular the models you don't have yourself. There is always something new to learn, and nothing speaks better than photos:)

My pleasure! Today I started working on it. Once the restoration process is finished I will publish all the details.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:I have often wondered if the horn was re-designed in order to benefit from the increased depth of the cabinet. Should you take pictures while you rehaul it, I'd look at them with interest!

Ah! Very interesting point Marco. Yes they exploited the deeper case by extending the horn. In this case I think they have done a better job by making the horn one continuous piece. The horn of its successor, the Mod. 114, has a crude extension soldered to a standard HMV Mod. 102 horn thus the horn surface is not smooth. Also, I do not know if this is the same to all HMV Mod. 112 but mine presents two pieces of metal that once screwed to the bottom of the upper section of the motor board they clamp the horn rim (which is covered completely by felt stripes) making sure that there is no air gap once the entire system is assembled.

Please consider the attached pictures.

Thanks for the pictures! A well designed horn indeed, although perhaps they could have taken advantage of all that vertical space a bit more. However, it should make this unit a very well sounding gramophone for sure!

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Thanks for the pictures! A well designed horn indeed, although perhaps they could have taken advantage of all that vertical space a bit more. However, it should make this unit a very well sounding gramophone for sure!

Yes, both this and the 102-equivalent deep case teak machines sound significantly better than the original 101 and 102 designs.

Interesting to see how they've managed to adapt the arm retaining clip by making it right-angled and fitting it to the long edge of the horn rather than the underside of the top, as it is on the 101.

Barry

Today I just started working on the teak case.

After having tried different solvents and chemicals on an concealed spot I decided to clean the cabinet first by using ammonia and then white spirit (in my case I found they do not affect the finish, absolutely do not use nitro based solvents or it will disappear completely once in contact).

Then as already tried during a past restoration I polished (lightly cut) the finish with a very fine metal polish cream - the one I am using is called Sidol here in Italy (I am not sure if it is the same as Brasso). Please consider the attached pictures. The result is quite good, the finish is once again highly glossy almost mirror like.

I am still pondering over a solution to address the more deep scratches that is not additive (dyes, finishes i.e. shellack or varnish etc.). Im considering some wood finishing oils (hopefully they are able to penetrate the original finish and nourishing and regenerating the colour and tone of the teak thus making scratches less visible).

The n.32 motor has been already completely dismantle, thoroughly cleaned, polished and properly greased/oiled.

More updates will come.