HMV

[Phono-Phan]

This is a first for me. A friend gave me this phonograph. I believe it is a HMV but I don't know the model. Also, the crank is missing. Would a Victor crank work on it? There was also an extra reproducer and a needle tin with it.

[Damfino59]

What you have here is either a model 103 or 109 HMV table “grand” of 1925 vintage. I can’t tell which one even with my “HMV His Masters Gramophone” book! They’re both very similar.

HMV was an affiliate of the Victor company but didn’t have the rights to the Western Electric Bell system patents for the orthophonic Victrola. So to play the new electric recordings HMV came up with #4 swan neck tone arm design. There are even large uprights models with a metal saxophone type horn. The horns on these table models sort of curve around like a roller coaster!

I believe the series lasted from 1925-29. If you noticed the cabinet is of the old Victrola style. HMV just modified their existing cabinets with the new reproducing system.

The 109 would have a motor similar to the double spring Victrola motor. The 103 would have a single spring motor with the barrel in a horizontal position.

I had two versions of the 109 with both variations of the lid stay. The typical Victor crank may work. I don’t have them anymore as I sold them on this forum several years ago.

The soundbox on the HMV is a #4 similar to the U.S. #4. It is of all brass construction so no pot metal issues! When rebuilt it be a great reproducer of early electric records. And also be able to play the older acoustic recordings too. This gramophone will out perform the typical Victrola IX or VIII.

Probably came over in the 1980’s when container loads of vintage English furniture were coming into the country.

Hopefully this all makes sense as it’s getting late for me!

Glenn

[Inigo]

That's all right. It's a marvelous machine with which you'll enjoy playing records a lot. That mica looks tired around the centre, with some bending cracks , but maybe it's the photo.

[jamiegramo]

From the look of the cabinet I believe this is an HMV 103 but I don’t have a copy of His Master’s Gramophone book to hand. Also the 109 normally has an automatic brake.

I like the all brass early version of the No. 4 soundbox with the script behind the mica rather than behind the soundbox that is normally seen. This alone was nice to be given!

[Phono-Phan]

Thanks for the replies. I will have to dig through my cranks to see if one fits it. Would it be a metric thread? Or, a standard Victor thread?

[Steve]

It's a 103 as evidenced by the speed control; it has the same single spring motor as the HMV 101 portable so the handle is very easy to find.

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies. I will have to dig through my cranks to see if one fits it. Would it be a metric thread? Or, a standard Victor thread?

Any Victor crank with an external thread from the 20's should fit this so long as it's long enough to clear the cabinet.

[Phono-Phan]

Thanks for the information. This is the first one of these I have had. I do have a HMV suitcase portable somewhere in my piles also. That might be available once I find it. This one also if I can find the crank and make sure it runs alright.
Ken