India, teak HMV 101 ?

[CarlosV]

No, they don't actually, Carlos. The side wind version appears to have had a solid lid and bottom.

Can we conclude then that the one in discussion is authentic? (apart from the escutcheon installed in the wrong way)

[poodling around]

Anyway, if this is a genuine India Teak HMV 101 (and I only say 'if' because I don't know much about them) then this may sell cheaply as the seller says:

'THIS IS COLLECTION ONLY FROM REDDITCH WORCESTERSHIRE.

WILL NOT POST AT ANY COST SO PLEASE DONT ASK'.


Sounds pretty categorical.

[Steve]

No, they don't actually, Carlos. The side wind version appears to have had a solid lid and bottom.

Can we conclude then that the one in discussion is authentic? (apart from the escutcheon installed in the wrong way)

There is something wrong about it. I'm going to show you all in a minute.......

[Steve]

Check out my side winder below and tell me if you spot the difference!

[Steve]

Shall I put you out of your misery?
No, I can't tell anything conclusively from the poor quality photos but it doesn't appear to have the normal HMV motor? Notice the winding position is further back than mine which is quite standard by comparison? It has to have a different motor but maybe its Swiss or something even stranger? No HMV double spring would fit in that space but a cheap Swissy double spring might!

[poodling around]

Shall I put you out of your misery?
No, I can't tell anything conclusively from the poor quality photos but it doesn't appear to have the normal HMV motor? Notice the winding position is further back than mine which is quite standard by comparison? It has to have a different motor but maybe its Swiss or something even stranger? No HMV double spring would fit in that space but a cheap Swissy double spring might!

I didn't see that - but should have ! Even having compared the two for ages.

This reminds me of 'wordle' - if I don't find the word I usually think 'why didn't I see that' when it is revealed !

Great fun.

[Steve]

I could be wrong with this but it wouldn't surprise me to find a Swiss or German motor in there. Some years ago a colonial machine turned up in the shape of a 102 but it wasn't HMV and was Swiss made. Who knows how many different "spare parts" from different makers ended up in the collective pool in India at one time. These machines were kept going for long after they were obsolete in the west. A retailer could have cobbled anything together.

[epigramophone]

Anyway, if this is a genuine India Teak HMV 101 (and I only say 'if' because I don't know much about them) then this may sell cheaply as the seller says:

'THIS IS COLLECTION ONLY FROM REDDITCH WORCESTERSHIRE.

WILL NOT POST AT ANY COST SO PLEASE DONT ASK'.


Sounds pretty categorical.

By foolishly refusing to offer postage the seller is restricting potential bidders to those willing to travel to collect, and if the machine sells this foolishness will be reflected in the price.
Posting a portable is neither difficult nor expensive. I posted my front wind teak 101 and got over £500 for it.

[CarlosV]

I could be wrong with this but it wouldn't surprise me to find a Swiss or German motor in there. Some years ago a colonial machine turned up in the shape of a 102 but it wasn't HMV and was Swiss made. Who knows how many different "spare parts" from different makers ended up in the collective pool in India at one time. These machines were kept going for long after they were obsolete in the west. A retailer could have cobbled anything together.

Steve, your eagle eyes detected a subtle anomaly! There is a high probability that this machine was tampered with and had its motor replaced, which may even explain the outside-in escutcheon. There is no visible original winder hole, but as you said the photos are poor and there could be an original hole filled up.

[Steve]

We will never know as the seller doesn't answer messages.