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alang wrote:Customers had the option to choose between the Concert and Exhibition reproducers, which were of different size. The different holes were used to adjust the height of the back bracket,

This is a valid statement for early machines, but after 1904 the Concert reproducer was no option. Perhaps the turntable hight which varies about 0,25 inches is a better explanation.

I think it is a crapophone and you should just sell it to me.

Starkton wrote:Perhaps the turntable hight which varies about 0,25 inches is a better explanation.

Sounds reasonable, too.

Amberola wrote:I think it is a crapophone and you should just sell it to me.

Never ever!

alang wrote:Maybe a mistake by drunk factory worker? As long as the back bracket was installed nobody would ever have noticed it. Still a beautiful machine that I would love to have in my living room.

Thanks for sharing

You're welcome! But again - the machine is very satisfied with its current residence!

Thanks for the replies to all of you, I think I'm understanding some of the peculiarities of this machine better now!

Alexander

My final thought is - original...

Starkton wrote:

alang wrote:Customers had the option to choose between the Concert and Exhibition reproducers, which were of different size. The different holes were used to adjust the height of the back bracket,

This is a valid statement for early machines, but after 1904 the Concert reproducer was no option. Perhaps the turntable hight which varies about 0,25 inches is a better explanation.

In the 'States Victor offered the Concert reproducer as an option as late as 1908. The Concert No. 10 was also available as an extra-cost option.

I suspect that the same was true in Britain.

A "Sheraton" machine that I once owned was similarly fitted.

Uncle Vanya wrote:A "Sheraton" machine that I once owned was similarly fitted.

I'm feeling a bit envious - I'd love to own a G&T Sheraton. Which of the three Sheraton models was it, and why have you given it away?

Back to the original question - I also have a G&T Senior Monarch, although in Oak, with the same configuration as the one shown in this thread - including the exact same dull grey, gunmetal finish on the back bracket. There is no sign of any prior paint or plating on the part. Tim Fabrizio saw it years ago and declared it original, but what does he know?

I think this was just the way they came...perhaps with a japanned and ornamented finish as an extra-cost option?

PeterF wrote:Back to the original question - I also have a G&T Senior Monarch, although in Oak, with the same configuration as the one shown in this thread - including the exact same dull grey, gunmetal finish on the back bracket. There is no sign of any prior paint or plating on the part. Tim Fabrizio saw it years ago and declared it original, but what does he know?

I think this was just the way they came...perhaps with a japanned and ornamented finish as an extra-cost option?

Actually, Starkton's comment that the nickel finish has been removed due to corrosion from perhaps poor storage over time or whatever is correct.

These wonderful UK models came with a nickel plated back bracket,tone arm, etc...

Peter, from your description...yours has either lost it's nickel due to age or a US bracket was stripped of it's black paint and gold pinstripes in order to make "appear" like a UK bracket. This has been known to happen by unscrupulous dealers in the past.

Either way, this generally leaves one with a bracket that is really just bare polished steel or a dull "gunmetal" appearance. Unfortunately, like the bracket shown on the machine in question.

There is an excellent book now out on HMV machines by Christopfer Proudfoot that is most informative and shows wonderful examples of their models.

SeniorMonarch wrote:

Uncle Vanya wrote:A "Sheraton" machine that I once owned was similarly fitted.

I'm feeling a bit envious - I'd love to own a G&T Sheraton. Which of the three Sheraton models was it, and why have you given it away?

It was the version with the "Bellflower" inlay. The machine had tured up sans horn at an antique shop in eastern Pennsylvania that had been a heavy importer of English furniture in the 1970's and 1980's.

The machine was, alas, quick-fried to a crackly crunch in my late fire, along with a great many others.

gramophone78 wrote:

PeterF wrote:Back to the original question - I also have a G&T Senior Monarch, although in Oak, with the same configuration as the one shown in this thread - including the exact same dull grey, gunmetal finish on the back bracket. There is no sign of any prior paint or plating on the part. Tim Fabrizio saw it years ago and declared it original, but what does he know?

I think this was just the way they came...perhaps with a japanned and ornamented finish as an extra-cost option?

Actually, Starkton's comment that the nickel finish has been removed due to corrosion from perhaps poor storage over time or whatever is correct.

These wonderful UK models came with a nickel plated back bracket,tone arm, etc...

Peter, from your description...yours has either lost it's nickel due to age or a US bracket was stripped of it's black paint and gold pinstripes in order to make "appear" like a UK bracket. This has been known to happen by unscrupulous dealers in the past.

Either way, this generally leaves one with a bracket that is really just bare polished steel or a dull "gunmetal" appearance. Unfortunately, like the bracket shown on the machine in question.

There is an excellent book now out on HMV machines by Christopfer Proudfoot that is most informative and shows wonderful examples of their models.

I completely agree with everything "gramophone78" has said as he is 100% correct in every detail. And no, you can't trust what any "unscrupulous dealers" tell you, no matter who they might think they are. I have plenty of evidence to back-up this statement!