Early Wrecked suitcase home S/N 1789 found at UK auction

[kirtley2012]

I saw this at an auction fairly near me and I couldn't resist (I say fairly near, it's not a trip I would do again without a car!)

Although it is an early home, Serial number 1789, it need a lot of work, I don't know where it was kept but I imagine a collapsed mine or the depths of the lake district could be good candidates.

The major problems are the missing lid, broken carriage, a missing reproducer, the spring has either broken, though I feel it may have just come loose and a large dent in the brass mandrel which I will have to try to unsolder the side of the mandrel to beat the dent out, it needs a fair bit of work and I'll have to look out for parts but I felt it had potential.

An advantage is it does have its original short winding handle which was a nice unexpected surprise lurking inside the case.
Looks like it was an early UK import through Edisonia Ltd with a great brass plaque on the front.

After I sell a few guitars I'll be in the market for parts if anyone has any, I'll put wanted ads up when the time comes too

[TinfoilPhono]

Looks like a challenging but fun project! You're lucky that the crank, with the original National Phonograph Co. badge, was in the case. That alone is a nice find.

Keep us posted!

[PeterF]

Fantastic find! Congrats. Mine is not too far off that s/n so here are some photos to check details against.

[kirtley2012]

Fantastic find! Congrats. Mine is not too far off that s/n so if you need photos to check details against, let me know.

Actually, if you could show me what the carriage on yours is like that would be very useful, I understand there were variances

[kirtley2012]

Looks like a challenging but fun project! You're lucky that the crank, with the original National Phonograph Co. badge, was in the case. That alone is a nice find.

Keep us posted!

Thanks Rene, yes I was pleased to see it, I bought it assuming it was lost and wasn't looking forward to looking for one

[gramophoneshane]

Congratulations Alex. That's a great find and great early machine.
So glad you found the crank in the case. That alone will save you big $$$.
Take your time restoring this one, and I think you'll end up with a nice example of an early Home to add to your ever growing collection of desirable machines.

[52089]

Love the Edisonia plaque and the badged crank Also nice to have the shaver - those are often missing.

You have a lot of work ahead of you, but also a lot of potential. Good luck!

[kirtley2012]

Thanks, I'm tempted not to go too overboard with the repair, I quite like the look of the case in it's aged form, if I can find a banner lid in similar shape I may leave that as is with just a coat of wax, I will see what the paint on the bedplate is like under all the dirt but that may have to be repainted

[PeterF]

Added some photos to my prior posting.

I like the idea of cleaning and lightly restoring. It shows a lot of historical character as it is, and getting it back in working order might be better for starters.

[edisonphonoworks]

Very interesting mandrel, I have home 1265, It had the weighted half nut carriage, unfortunately at the time I did not know its significance, and traded it for a regular winged adjustment carriage. My mandrel has a more traditional look yours is similar to a Class M, or Spring Motor. It is a very interesting machine. Congratulations!