The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently purchased an Edison Bell Gem in reasonably good condition but on closer examination it has raised a question about how the top works are secured to the case on these machines. Most examples I have seen have 4 studs in the case which the top plate fits over and is then secured with spherical nuts, the holes in the bed plate being dished to take these (photo 1). On this new machine, the holes are smaller and there are pins, tapered on one end, which seem to push into rubber bushes in the case (photo 2). These look to be original but were found loose in the bottom of the case as the rubber has perished. Has anyone else come across this version or found a way to replace the rubber bushes?

I used something similar to these rubber "T" grommets on another machine... These may not be the exact ones, but I used some like these. You could even cut off the "post" and insert it in the holes.
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Range-WB02T ... 8059211806

Thanks for the link, I will give it a try.