HMV193 queries.

[epigramophone]

I was not looking to add a big Re-Entrant to my collection. It just happened to be close to home and I could not resist it.
Bearing Serial Number 604 and a brass dealer's plaque for Hickie & Hickie of Reading, it has two lid stays and the No.34 quadruple spring motor. My guess is that it dates to 1928, as anything later would probably have the oil bath motor.
Pictures will follow when I have cleaned the cabinet, which retains the original finish in very good condition.

My queries are :

The winding handle appears to be dull nickel plated. Is this correct or should it be the usual dark bronze?

The "Oxidised Silver" finish on the tonearm is badly worn. Has anyone tried one of the silvering fluids which apply a thin coating of silver to restore worn plating, and if so with what result?

Thank you for any guidance you can give.

Roger.

[Steve]

Congratulations, Roger, on a fine addition to the collection.

The winding handle should be dark bronze colour.

When I bought my 202 over 20 years ago, it was missing the original silver 5A soundbox so I took a nickel 5A, stripped off the nickel and used the very silver plating solution you refer to before oxidising the new "plating" in targeted areas with sodium nitrate (I recall but my memory is slightly hazy about the specifics). I then clear laquered the finished result. It clearly works but it's difficult to match the bluish colour exactly. The silvering process is incredibly simple though with easy cloth application and it certainly looks the part.

Thankfully, I now have an original oxidised silver 5A although I still use my home-made version on the machine as it sounds better due to a new diaphragm and my careful tweaking of the pivot assembly.

[epigramophone]

Thank you Steve.
A dark bronze finish on the winding handle should be no problem to create, and I will certainly try the silver plating solution on the tonearm. The rest of the fittings, including the soundbox, need only a light clean.
I will mention Sodium Nitrate to my good friend Alastair Murray, who is a retired chemist. He may even have some in his shed!

[Burtemg]

I have had one silverplated and oxidized some 25 years ago.
Dissembling a 5a without breaking is the most difficult part....

[epigramophone]

Interesting. I only need the tonearm improving, which is easy to remove without the risk of damage.
Where did you get the job done? A jeweller or a metal finisher?

[Steve]

Interesting. I only need the tonearm improving, which is easy to remove without the risk of damage.
Where did you get the job done? A jeweller or a metal finisher?

I too would like to know.

[epigramophone]

As promised, pictures of the new arrival. They were the right way up when I added them :

[Steve]

Fabulous machine. Congratulations, Roger, on a great acquisition. The condition is very good.

I wouldn't worry about the shadow mark at the bottom of the grille cloth. My 202 has an identical mark in the exact same spot. I think a lot of these models have the same mark in the cloth for some unexplained reason.

[epigramophone]

Thank you Steve. A friend's 163 also has the same shadow mark. Very strange.

[emgcr]

As promised, pictures of the new arrival. They were the right way up when I added them :

Click on the images to reorientate. Many congratulations Roger---a fine instrument.