The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello friends!

I have seen at least three period versions of HMV Model 97 (748b motor and 21 No. sound box) , each known as 97, 97b and 97c. Personally, I do not see any difference among the three except the ivorine model identification plate on the motor board of 97c. It is also perplexing to observe absence of a holder or catcher for the winding key on the motor board or the lid. I am sure many of you know the differences, which are not known to me. Kindly comment.

Regards
Sheraz Hyder

The winding handle clip is located to the left of the horn aperture, below the lid stay :

97A had the 748B motor, 97B had motor 794, 97 C & D had the motor26590.

97A & B(both 1935) had nickel fittings, C & D were chromium plated. Early model have a 101-type lid stay, later ones a simple slotted stay, but I don't know when the change came. Late ones, possibly 1940-41, have the 23 sound box rather than 21.

The original 97 was apparently for export only and I don't know how it differed from 97A.

epigramophone wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 4:42 am The winding handle clip is located to the left of the horn aperture, below the lid stay :

Hi !

Thank you for sharing the extract from the 'assembling and operating instructions' for HMV Model 97. The 'winding handle' in the diagram is actually indicating the slot, located right above the carrying handle, for inserting the key to the machine. I have removed the platter from the motor board of my 97 C machine to see if there are any screw holes, suggesting that once a winding handle holder rested there, but there are none. Even the motor board does not have a cavity, where the winding handle could be laid to rest. I have checked the lid but it does not show any signs of a specified place for the winding key. This is becoming very puzzling to understand why there was no designated space for the winder in the 97's case.

Regards
Sheraz

Sherazhyder wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 1:56 pm

epigramophone wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 4:42 am The winding handle clip is located to the left of the horn aperture, below the lid stay :

Hi !

Thank you for sharing the extract from the 'assembling and operating instructions' for HMV Model 97. The 'winding handle' in the diagram is actually indicating the slot, located right above the carrying handle, for inserting the key to the machine. I have removed the platter from the motor board of my 97 C machine to see if there are any screw holes, suggesting that once a winding handle holder rested there, but there are none. Even the motor board does not have a cavity, where the winding handle could be laid to rest. I have checked the lid but it does not show any signs of a specified place for the winding key. This is becoming very puzzling to understand why there was no designated space for the winder in the 97's case.

Regards
Sheraz

P.S I just discovered for myself the screw impressions on the right wall of the wooden case, next to the lid stay. where the catcher used to rest.

Oedipus wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 7:48 am 97A had the 748B motor, 97B had motor 794, 97 C & D had the motor26590.

97A & B(both 1935) had nickel fittings, C & D were chromium plated. Early model have a 101-type lid stay, later ones a simple slotted stay, but I don't know when the change came. Late ones, possibly 1940-41, have the 23 sound box rather than 21.

The original 97 was apparently for export only and I don't know how it differed from 97A.

Sir ! Thank you for sharing very valuable information about this very little known HMV model. However, there are a couple of points on which you and other fellow members may like to offer their expert opinion to conclude the topic under discussion.

i) Sometime in the past, fellow members at this forum opined that HMV Model 94 , which looks similar in several aspects to 97, is an 'overseas' model of home market model 97. Which of the two is actually an overseas or colonial model?
ii) The understanding that model 97 was only for export to India implies that it was originally manufactured in England and the entire lot was exported to India. Does the presence of a good number of 97s in England and other parts of Europe mean that these machines were imported from the Sub-continent to England?
iii) I have a 97 c with motor # 748B which i bought from Pakistan. Does the presence of this motor in 97 c suggest replacement by the previous owner?
iv) Were the motors 794, and 26590 also employed by any gramophone other than 97?

Our fellow member Nostalgia owns a model 97, which is probably an earlier version, he may like to tell us about its origin, and share pictures of its lid stay and motor etc.

Regards
Sheraz