Cabinet hardware

[Phono48]

I have just bought an HMV upright gramophone, as we call them over here, but haven't yet been able to find the model number. I have the "His Master's Gramophone" book, and whilst there are some very similar models, nothing exactly the same. Very similar to the HMV 12A, but mine has no lock.I would imagine Victor made a very similar model It's not a top-of-the-range job, having nickel plated goose-neck arm, automatic brake, turntable and speed control, but gilt lid hinge, lid stay and winding handle. Has a nice bit of carving on the corners, and a good "Exhibition" soundbox. Mahogany cabinet, unfortunately re-finished, but well done.

My query is this. Having removed and cleaned the verdigris and general dirt off the hinges and door knobs, they are now gleaming brass. Is this as they should be, or were they coated with another finish? As they are, they do look a bit too "new".

Barry

[AZ*]

On some HMV models, the model # is stamped into the wood of the horn, and is visible when you remove the motor board. Other models have the # on a white disk under the needle cup.

If it is shiny brass, is it possible that you removed the nickel or gold plating when you cleaned it?

[gramophoneshane]

I have a similar machine with mixed metal finishes, but mine is in a No.11 cabinet. Over here it were marketed as the "Gramophone Model Mahogany Library Grand".
I'm actually wondering if your machine might be one of The Gramophone Co's export models too, which would explain why it's not included in the HMV book.
The brassware on these models was never nickel or gold plated, but it was highly polished and then given a few coats of lacquer to which a "yellow" dye had been added. This left the brass with a gold plated appearence.
We cant get lacquer very easily here, so I gave my knobs & lock escutcheon a couple coats of dilute orange shellac. It doesnt look too bad, but is a little too orange compared to the other original lacquered parts.
If you can obtain lacquer fairly easily, I think with a little experimentation & tinting/toner dye, you could probably achieve a very close match to the original colour.

[Phono48]

It's very similar to the model 11, except that mine has a bit more carving, in the form of another spray of leaves. The winding handle is an earlier model. In all respects, it's the same as the model 12, except for the absence of a lock.
Thanks for the information on the finish of the fittings, should be relatively easy to replicate the original.

Barry

[Phono48]

On some HMV models, the model # is stamped into the wood of the horn, and is visible when you remove the motor board. Other models have the # on a white disk under the needle cup.

I just checked both places - nothing! Thanks for the pointer, though.

Barry