The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Inigo wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:44 am I've seen this kind of leather strip handle and supports to the case on early HMV 101s of the side-crank type, so it must have been in use for a certain period, it seems authentic.

The style and configuration of the carrying handle is 100% spot on BUT I don't think the main stitched leather strip is original. It appears to have a different age, colour and condition to the two "fish-eye" end loops, which ironically are original to the machine. I wonder if the original strip broke in two and someone found a like for like replacement but re-used the two ends for authenticity.

Steve wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 6:58 amI wonder if the original strip broke in two and someone found a like for like replacement but re-used the two ends for authenticity.

Likely. I've done this myself in my brown crocodile hmv101. The original leather strip was very thin, and torn out. I simply replaced it with a new leather strip, just laced on the original rings. I didn't need to remove the attachments...

I had the chance to go through my portables in the last days, so since the old pictures are long time gone, I thought to take few photographs of my unit and add them to this thread.

How nice it looks, with the dealer plate and all...