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Hey all, I am awaiting this HMV portable to come in from an online win. $50. Was wondering if anyone knew the model number by pics? I am thrown off by the HMV logo with the "RCA Victrola" added underneath. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

I'm no expert, but it appears to be the same as my Model 88, except for the needle cup.

My 88 has an open cup, and lid has, for the want of a better description, a rubber disc on a stick, which covers the needle cup when the lids closed.

With any luck, once you get the machine and remove the turntable, there will be a tag with the serial number, model number and date code on it.

I'm not sure why the RCA decal is present. These were made into the late 1950's so perhaps RCA had stopped making accoustic machines by then, and these were imported by RCA if someone ordered them?

gramophoneshane wrote:I'm no expert, but it appears to be the same as my Model 88, except for the needle cup.

My 88 has an open cup, and lid has, for the want of a better description, a rubber disc on a stick, which covers the needle cup when the lids closed.

With any luck, once you get the machine and remove the turntable, there will be a tag with the serial number, model number and date code on it.

I'm not sure why the RCA decal is present. These were made into the late 1950's so perhaps RCA had stopped making accoustic machines by then, and these were imported by RCA if someone ordered them?

Thanks! I was thinking 88 but wasnt 100% sure. It should be here in 2 days! Cant wait!

I'd very interested to hear if you find the ID tag under the turntable.
I've never seen that type of needle cup on an HMV machine before so it must have been a RCA addition.
I don't think it's a later replacement otherwise there would be a hole in the lid where the rubber disc set-up was removed.

I think you'll be pleased with the sound quality. Even though these were around half the price of a 102, I think they sound better than most 1920's portables, including the 101.
Especially considering the tiny almost half horn these were equipped with.

gramophoneshane wrote:I'd very interested to hear if you find the ID tag under the turntable.
I've never seen that type of needle cup on an HMV machine before so it must have been a RCA addition.
I don't think it's a later replacement otherwise there would be a hole in the lid where the rubber disc set-up was removed.

I think you'll be pleased with the sound quality. Even though these were around half the price of a 102, I think they sound better than most 1920's portables, including the 101.
Especially considering the tiny almost half horn these were equipped with.

Thanks! What is throwing me off is the RCA Victrola under the logo. Ive searched the internet for hours and cannot find one with the same.
As for sound, I believe you! I have a 1927 Electrola 101 w/ No 4 reproducer and it sounds amazing. What I find fascinating is it even plays worn records better than my orthophonic uprights.

You have a wonderful collection of classic portables. I was thinking about this RCA one but didn't want another project; secretly I wished a TMF member would buy it. Glad it went to collectors' hands!

What reproducer does it have?

I believe those carried the later no21 or 23, dunno which one was badged Columbia or hmv, but were pretty much the same, a later version of the old 1926 Columbia Viva Tonal no15, with slightly different ball bearings housing.

The HMV version was the No.23

Did HMV model 88 come with a wooden motorboard? I do not own a model 88 (but have a model 87 that neither had a wooden motorboard), and after also checking the His Master's Gramophone Book, I can't see that model 88 had a wooden motorboard, and on the photo of this gramophone there is also a missing needle cup cover that is supposed to be fastened on the top right inside the lid on model 88. This will cover the open needlebowl when the case is locked. The positioning of the decal in the lid also appears to be much higher up on this gramophone than on model 88. The tonearm also has a brownish finish, but on the model 88 it was chrome. I read however that due to post war chrome shortage, model 88z had bronze lacquer fittings, so this maybe can be explained.
And is it only me..or does the inner lid texture appear brownish? I do not recognize the texture from my model 87, even when not paying attention to the color...

Let us wait for the experts to decide it all:)

The spring loaded needle container is an accessory sold by wholesalers. It probably replaced the original HMV fitting when the rubber disc cover failed, and there may be a tell tale screw hole inside the lid where it was mounted.

The replacement container is pictured as Fig.(B) in this c.1931 trade supplier's catalogue :