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Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:08 am
by Garret
Thanks very much for enlarging that other image. I can't do it on this computer. Maybe a picture is worth a thousand words!
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:10 pm
by Phono48
soundgen wrote:
I think you are right , if you look at the Decal from Worthpoint and yours they are the identical background shape except yours is darker , the patch matches exactly even the strange slope on the right of the transfer
I agree, that certainly seems to be the answer!
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:20 pm
by gramophone-georg
If you look at the bottom of the decal in Garrett's photo, the black seems to be rubbing through to blue. If this was blue over a black case this wouldn't happen- the black is on top of the blue, e.g., it's the decal.
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:33 pm
by soundgen
gramophone-georg wrote:If you look at the bottom of the decal in Garrett's photo, the black seems to be rubbing through to blue. If this was blue over a black case this wouldn't happen- the black is on top of the blue, e.g., it's the decal.
yes ! I wonder if there is a way to reverse this darkening ?
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 1:28 am
by Garret
Well, I figured that the price was low enough that it was worth a gamble, and I can recoup most of my funds in parts if it turns out to be a dud. Here goes nothing.

Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:37 am
by Phono48
You could always remove that transfer altogether, and replace it with a new one. They are excellent!
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 5:50 pm
by Oedipus
Definitely blue, the 'LB102E' means its blue, and the 'E' means it's a late one (1949 onwards) with a flush motor board (see His Master's Gramophone page 208). The chromium corner shields also mean it is coloured, not black.
As to the strange black surround to the transfer, I have never seen one like this before, but can only assume the outer part of the transfer (usually transparent) has darkened with age. Leave well alone, don't attempt to replace it.
'Made in Great Britain' was standard on these late models, whether for export or not. As far as I know, the record tray was never available post war.
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:38 pm
by VanEpsFan1914
I think I'd leave it too. 1949 is super late for a windup gramophone and I'd leave it like it is. Cool machine, by the way.
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:54 am
by Garret
Oedipus wrote:Definitely blue, the 'LB102E' means its blue, and the 'E' means it's a late one (1949 onwards) with a flush motor board (see His Master's Gramophone page 208). The chromium corner shields also mean it is coloured, not black.
As to the strange black surround to the transfer, I have never seen one like this before, but can only assume the outer part of the transfer (usually transparent) has darkened with age. Leave well alone, don't attempt to replace it.
'Made in Great Britain' was standard on these late models, whether for export or not. As far as I know, the record tray was never available post war.

There is a coding scheme for the case colors on the data plates?
Garret
Re: Blue HMV 102 - Original Finish?
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 5:30 am
by Phono48
Garret wrote: There is a coding scheme for the case colors on the data plates?
Garret
101 De-Luxe models were: SB - Blue Crocodile, BC - Brown Crocodile, GC - Grey Crocodile, RL - Red Leather.
101 Standard models were: R - Red, V - Green, G - Grey, LB - Blue, C - Black
102s used the same codes as the standard 101s