The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Phono48 wrote:

Columbia78 wrote: And how can you tell it's a metal needle tray from this photo? The more I look at it and touch it, tap it, etc. the more I think it's plastic. If it's metal it would be a very light metal painted entirely black without a trace of metal showing through.

I'm going on the slight roughness on the front edge of the tray, which is usually down to slight corrosion of the brass underneath. If you want to be sure, examine the underside of the tray. The plastic ones are much thicker than the metal ones. Also examine the outer casing of the tray, you will probably see bare metal on the inner curve, where the movement of the tray has worn the finish away.

You may be right, it's hard to see but here's what it looks like...

Yes, definitely a metal needle tray. The plastic versions are much thicker than that and have a shinier surface.

Phono48 wrote:Yes, definitely a metal needle tray. The plastic versions are much thicker than that and have a shinier surface.

Thank you for all your help!

I have discovered some history pertaining to this machine, which is very interesting. It seems this HMV 102 sat in a house that had been "closed up since the 1930's", until the contents of the house were sold at auction in 1974, at which point the buyer of the gramophone put the machine away untouched where it sat forgotten for another 40+ years...

This explains why it is in such remarkable condition.