Unknown British phonograph (Prototype?)

[-juergen-]

Here something we could not identify. So if you have an idea or information, I would be happy if you share it with me.

I got some time ago in Britain from a private house hold. There was no horn and no reproducer. Case seems to be Mahogany and to wind the spring a ratchet system is installed. To close the lid the knob of the ratchet has to be unscrewed and screwed in from the opposite side. As you see there is a serial number (2) on the case. It is as well on the lid.
The carriage has a large plate which bears the reproducer tube. It is kind of flapper. The drive belt is a bid less than 0.5 Inches wide. It seems the bet tension mechanism is missing.
All brackets underneath the bed plate are made of brass and blackened.

Now you almost I know about that machine. Any ideas?

[jamiegramo]

A beautiful machine. Perhaps made by a proficient amateur or a clock maker. The nearly all brass construction suggests this was not a mass produced item.

[-juergen-]

I agree. It can't be a mass production. Too much effort for a series. It is much more precise (needle bearings etc.) as any phonograph I saw. A clock maker would have worked like that.

[Lucius1958]

"Curiouser and curiouser," as Alice said.
. No separate brake, apparently, just the speed control.
. Oddly made reproducer carriage.
. Two guide rails in front.
. Mysterious extra knob on bedplate.
. Absurdly wide pulleys.
. What is up with the spring barrels? Different size mainsprings?

- Bill

[-juergen-]

Here some more photos showing the spring barrel with two different diameters. The screw which can be seen on the right side of the bedplate brings force to one gearing axis in order t stop the gear. A strange concept for a brake..
Other pictures show the flapper part with the reproducer tube.