HMV No. 7 with distinctive case

[Steve]

I've been watching and bidding on a HMV No. 7 with mahogany horn today, that has an unusual applique to the front panel and both sides. Initially I thought it must have been the after-market work of an enthusiastic cabinet maker but looking at the slightly unfamiliar dimensions of the cabinet, proportions and shape of moldings (it certainly appears different to my No. 7 and many more I've seen), I'm not quite sure. It is certainly rare, if it is all original. This example has a canon brake to the rear right hand side. What do others think?

[jamiegramo]

Hi Steve I noticed this at Chorley’s auction as well. I think it is correct and I like it. The hammer price was £650 which is good considering the machine appears mainly complete. Not sure what the buyers premium was (total around £850?) but the horn should be worth this alone.

[CarlosV]

It certainly looks authentic, but do you have any idea where it comes from? Another undocumented Indian model?

[Steve]

Hi Steve I noticed this at Chorley’s auction as well. I think it is correct and I like it. The hammer price was £650 which is good considering the machine appears mainly complete. Not sure what the buyers premium was (total around £850?) but the horn should be worth this alone.

Hi Jamie, the premium is exactly as you say!
I dropped out at £500 seeing as I don't really need it but the horn was a potentially tempting upgrade over one of my lesser fluted mahogany type. The winder was missing and no one could verify if it was running or not but I wasn't sure about the cabinet decoration either and the metalwork is quite rough, most likely requiring pickling, machine polishing and re-plating. Not cheap to get done these days.

[Steve]

It certainly looks authentic, but do you have any idea where it comes from? Another undocumented Indian model?

No idea where it's from, Carlos, but it certainly isn't teak which kind of rules out the Indian likelihood.