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When I search the internet I see many seemingly different models which are described as / claim to be WW1 Decca Trench Portable gramophones. Some are described by organisations which should know what they are talking about - but I am unsure that they are correct.

I also see the occasional contemporary newspaper advert with a sketchy cartoon type depiction which, to be honest doesn't help that much.

Does anyone on here actually own one and maybe able to show a photograph or is someone able to provide a link to a photograph of an actual example of such a gramophone provided and used by troops during the war ?

Were there many different models provided by Decca / available to the troops during the war and that is why many different looking Decca's are called WW1 Trench models ?

Thanks for any help you can offer to clarify this for me.

Check out the thread Re: Early HMV "Portables": there is a photo of a Decca that was actually played in the trenches.

- Bill

The thread is here:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=28388

Introduced in 1914 the Decca was one of the first portables to be ready to play without prior assembly. During World War 1 many were sent to the Western Front to entertain the troops, and the model became affectionally known as the "Trench" Decca.

The design was so successful that it was produced until the mid-1920's with little modification. Mine dates from 1923. As a result many sellers use the "Trench" name regardless of the age of the machine. Examples with a proven record of service during World War 1 are scarce and expensive.

The CLPGS Bookshop http://www.clpgs.org.uk stocks an excellent booklet on the history of Decca portables.

I stand to be corrected, but I believe it was never called the
" Trench Portable " by Decca.

Dangermouse wrote:I stand to be corrected, but I believe it was never called the
" Trench Portable " by Decca.

Celeste Trench 1914

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Celeste ... 4368651688

...... and as if by magic, an actual genuine WW1 Decca 'Trench' gramophone appears !

The answer to my question is given


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW1-DECCA-PO ... E&LH_All=1

Thats not a WW1 Trench model, more like an early 1920s. The early versions had chain lid stays on both sides and a copper "Dulciflex".

For all intents and purposes they are in reality very similar though.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember correctly, the first of the Decca Trench models also had a round speed control, rather than the common Paillard open face shield shaped speed control.

Steve wrote: Tue Jan 26, 2021 5:18 pm Thats not a WW1 Trench model, more like an early 1920s. The early versions had chain lid stays on both sides and a copper "Dulciflex".

For all intents and purposes they are in reality very similar though.

I see. Thanks Steve.