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FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2024 9:53 am
by Lah Ca
It is claimed that this is a 1909 HMV "hornless" machine.

It does not seem to have a 1909 patina.

And the horn grill does not look 1909ish, either.

What, pray tell, is this machine?
2024-04-14 06.19.10 www.facebook.com 06b3c174aaea.jpg
2024-04-14 06.19.36 www.facebook.com 47791ddf91be.jpg
2024-04-14 06.20.14 www.facebook.com 8483e1830146.jpg
2024-04-14 06.19.55 www.facebook.com bcfd337a7995.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 460609493/

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2024 1:32 pm
by Inigo
Fake imitation of the Pigmy? The hmv label is from the late forties the sooner...

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 10:54 am
by Lah Ca
Inigo wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2024 1:32 pm Fake imitation of the Pigmy? The hmv label is from the late forties the sooner...
Interesting. Thank you.

The horn grill looks real. But all the Pigmy models I can find are front winders, and this machine is not.

The unit as a whole looks sort of legitimate, apart from the additions of the grill and the HMV label. It does not look like a hack and chop Frankenphone.

I wonder what the machine was before it was dressed up as a Pigmy.

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 6:20 pm
by Inigo
Also, as you can see... the brake and speed regulation handle seem much later.

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 4:17 am
by Steve
It doesn't have the Pigmy Grand tone-arm or "quick release" back-bracket, designed to enable this part to be dismantled for transport. It would be interesting to see all sides of the cabinet though. Can you get any more pictures?

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:51 am
by Lah Ca
Steve wrote: Tue Apr 16, 2024 4:17 am Can you get any more pictures?
There are no more posted, but I have asked the seller if it would be possible to get additional pictures, ones of the sides, back, bottom, and inside if possible.

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:28 pm
by Lah Ca
Whatever it may or may not be it looks real except perhaps for what looks like some sloppy cutting above the horn grill, but even this, if it is a Frankenphone modification, looks old.

Curious.

More pics:
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Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 12:13 pm
by Lah Ca
Steve wrote: Tue Apr 16, 2024 4:17 am Can you get any more pictures?
Yes. I did. Any further thoughts on what the machine is?

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:42 pm
by Inigo
In the photo of the back, something can be seen in the back wood board where the black throat is attached: the wood has been cut and the grain looks different, there is a noticeable division line at the left of the black throat.
I bet it's a later 1918-20 Victrola vi or similar which has been modified to look as the older Pigmy model.

Re: FBM - Peculiar (Suspect) 1909 HMV Table Top - Vanocuver, BC

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 9:09 am
by JerryVan
Inigo wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:42 pm In the photo of the back, something can be seen in the back wood board where the black throat is attached: the wood has been cut and the grain looks different, there is a noticeable division line at the left of the black throat.
I bet it's a later 1918-20 Victrola vi or similar which has been modified to look as the older Pigmy model.
I noticed that too Inigo. Look also at the grill. A very irregular, amateur attempt!