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I managed to come an agreement with the vendor who had the blue HMV 102 in his shop, so I now own one.

Ref: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53341

I don’t time to provide a lot of pics now. I will do this later.

Details:

It is a model 102c in blue.

It has the studs/pins for a record holder but does not have the holder itself.

It has the square, glued-in panel with the Nipper logo.

It has the 5a sound box/reproducer.

The needle holder is not chrome but is rather blue bakelite (?) matching the colour of the fabric covering the machine.

In addition to the serial number on the plate on the motor board, there is a number code stamped into the case and fabric on the front edge of the open case.

It was originally sold by Keith Prowse in London.

Dating

In the absence of anything definitive like dated production records which record serial numbers, the above combination of details would suggest a manufacture date somewhere in the mid-30s. I invite more informed opinions on a date, though.

Question

Inside the lid on the bottom edge there are three metal fixtures. One on the left is a socket which together with the clip in the middle serves to hold the crank when it is not in use. The clip on the right is a mystery to me. What is it for?

Question

Are there any surviving instructions on how to use and set the auto-shut-off mechanism?

Lah Ca wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:24 pm
Question

Inside the lid on the bottom edge there are three metal fixtures. One on the left is a socket which together with the clip in the middle serves to hold the crank when it is not in use. The clip on the right is a mystery to me. What is it for?

Question

Are there any surviving instructions on how to use and set the auto-shut-off mechanism?

Never mind the questions. I have found a PDF of the 102 owner's manual. Must do more research before posting. Must do more research.

The PDF will answer most of your questions, but not the one about the needle bin.
Plastic replaced metal from the introduction of the 102c in about 1935.
Record trays appear on UK eBay from time to time, but they are often exorbitantly priced.

epigramophone wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 1:58 pm The PDF will answer most of your questions, but not the one about the needle bin.
Plastic replaced metal from the introduction of the 102c in about 1935.
Record trays appear on UK eBay from time to time, but they are often exorbitantly priced.

Thank you for the reply.

Lah Ca wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:24 pm The clip on the right is a mystery to me. What is it for?

For a tin of Tungs-Tone or Tungstyle (depending on which side of the Atlantic) needles, shaped differently to other needle tins.

Orchorsol wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 4:35 pm

Lah Ca wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:24 pm The clip on the right is a mystery to me. What is it for?

For a tin of Tungs-Tone or Tungstyle (depending on which side of the Atlantic) needles, shaped differently to other needle tins.

Thank you.

epigramophone wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 1:58 pm
,,, about the needle bin.
Plastic replaced metal from the introduction of the 102c in about 1935.

I would hazard a guess then that my machine is from 1935. It does not have a date-indicating B/x serial number type which you state elsewhere was introduced in 1936.

Ref: viewtopic.php?t=24748