The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just recieved this from my friendly courier, totally original , need a fair bit of work but will restore nicely I think. Not sure of the model though, could be a no1. confirmation or info would be welcome.

Yes, its a Model 1 with the heavier plinth moulding typical of the post WW1 variant.

The label says clearly LBAO, the question is to find an hmv catalogue featuring this model. Date seems 1920, isn't it?

That's a good a good project for the upcoming spring When I rekindled my interest in gramophones during the spring of 2019 two of the first gramophones I came across were a Model 1a and Model III Hornless, which I believe are two of the very next HMV hornless models after your Model 1. For me it was a good start to work on wooden gramophone cabinets, and becoming braver in later repairing more complex gramophones. I still like these machines, (even if I know they are not everyones favorites), they are an important step i the HMV production as I see it.

Inigo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 3:21 pm The label says clearly LBAO, the question is to find an hmv catalogue featuring this model. Date seems 1920, isn't it?

Its in all the catalogues after 1914 up to about 1922 when it was re-numbered. The LBAO is the machine code, not the model number.

Ah, well.. LBAO is written in smaller typos between brackets, I imagine... I've seen these codes in other catalogs. Don't know the exact meaning, except for the O which probably means oak, isn't it?

L = Hornless
B= second model up from the cheapest (LAO was a short-lived very cheap machine of 1913-15)
A= the first variation from the original spec (could be some very minor detail)
O= Oak (M = mahogany, W= Walnut, C= Cloth)