The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Phono48 wrote:Yes, it is (or was!) a 202, but it has been severely mucked about. The legs have been shortened, the door hinges have been replaced, but worst of all, the original motor has been replaced. Personally, I wouldn't touch it.

Barry

I'm not sure why you think it's been re-motored? It clearly has the motor plate, lubrication lever and speed control for the no. 52 motor.

Whoops! A friend has a 202 with an entirely different motor, and assured me that no other type was ever fitted. I should have checked with the HMV "bible" before leaping in! Sorry for any confusion caused.

The early models 193/4 and 202/3 came with the standard 4-spring motor no34, same as the last big Victor motor. That was the range of new motors of 1921. There's also the no32 with two springs, and a smaller single spring unit (don't know the number). These three shared a very similar frame. The biggest no34 was fitted to all big hmv models from 1921 on.
Later models 193/4 and 202/3 (don't know when started) carried the no52 'oil bath motor', as seen in the pictures of this machine, which is indeed a very different motor. Maybe your friend had the no34 type.
I don't know if this oil bath no52 was also fitted to the later consoles and uprights of the early thirties, models 152, 153 and 158.

Inigo, as far as I'm aware the motor change happened in 1929. I also don't think any other standard modeis were fitted with it.

I have possibly a unique Indian machine fitted with the motor but these oddities are extremely rare.