The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently picked up a HMV 102 portable. I would like an approximate year of manufacture. I have read they were made for quite a few years, starting about the early 30's, but I would like to know from the serial number approximately how old it really is.

It arrived quite dirty with the covering loose in a number of places, no handle, a frozen thumb screw and tone arm, and a fair amount of rust. But, it cleaned nicely fairly well.

Anyway, any ideas from the serial number when it was made? There are no corner moldings to protect the corners, and it came with a HMV 5a soundbox. There was no record tray with it, but that does not mean it did not come with one.

As always, any help is appreciated.

Matt

According to the Oakley/Proudfoot book, the model 102c dates from 1935-1941.

I'd fine tune the year to 1938 seeing as:

There are no posts for record tray
Most 1935-37 examples appear to have had the record trays
I believe the serial numbering altered in 1939 with 'B' suffix

Thank you. I had looked around but had not yet found a good reference yet.

Nice job fixing it up! Good work!
Bob