The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That's interesting. Mine is the real deal though, it has a riveted on/off plate.

PeterF wrote: Mon Nov 19, 2018 1:44 pm Thanks - so now we have:

102s with the early autobrake (I've deleted the "1020" prefix):

2879
4744 (also typo'd as 4774)
5718
7553
12379
26029
30941
33389

Earliest 102 with the next version of brake:

63326

Now looking to narrow the gap between 33389 and 63326.

So to update the list started by PeterF...

102s with the early autobrake (I've deleted the "1020" prefix):

2879
4744
5718
7553
12379
26029
30941
33389

Earliest 102 with the next version of brake:

47831
63326

I have a french early 102

I have an early Electrola 102 with no stamped serial number, just something illegible in pencil :

Thank you both - further confirmation that the metal plaques continued for export models after they ceased in the UK (probably in 1930, before the 102 was introduced). But this is the first time I have seen a serial number stamped on such a plaque; the theory behind them was that they didn't need serial numbers because any slight change in the specification (affecting spare parts supply) was indicated by a suffix letter. I have seen serial numbers as well, on occasion, but on a separate label.

Neither of these has a suffix letter because they were the earliest version of the 102. When the factory started fitting the No 6 auto brake in place of the No.5, the model became '102A'.