The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, I haven't seen one before.

So, just in case it is rare - here's the link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374927940016 ... R-bvuJDRYg

Fitted to the earliest HMV Re-Entrant machines, the No.5 had a short production life before being replaced by the No.5A.
Most of the surviving examples, including mine, have succumbed to metal fatigue.
Unfortunately the seller of this 157 has not posted a photo of the front of the soundbox.

poodling around wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 7:07 am Well, I haven't seen one before.

So, just in case it is rare - here's the link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374927940016 ... R-bvuJDRYg

I wouldn't exactly call them rare but I agree with Roger that in most cases they are next to useless due to pot metal failure. They are the exact clone of the Victor Orthophonic used in the States which is a superb soundbox and superior in every way to the HMV 5A / 5B. Unlike Victor, HMV never made the 5 in brass, more's the pity if you've ever heard a good one. I have both the Victor and the HMV and they do play extremely well albeit neither look too well, sadly!

Somewhat curiously I've seen (and owned) three 157s that came with the 5 fitted from new. Somehow the 157s didn't seem to get upgraded as frequently as the proper re-entrant models.

poodling around wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 7:07 am Well, I haven't seen one before.

So, just in case it is rare - here's the link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374927940016 ... R-bvuJDRYg

It is just like a pot-metal Victor Orthophonic Reproducer.