Help needed Victor Schoolhouse Model

[Steve]

Hello all,

I recently acquired an HMV Schools Model which is a direct import of the pre-war Victor Schoolhouse Model (not sure of the number designation?) and it probably dates from about 1918-ish.

The lid is missing its original lid-stay. Presumably this was a unique type devised by Victor that permitted the lid to be propped up when playing the machine with the horn directly facing forwards? BUT it also crucially allowed for the whole thing to be easily detached (unhooked?) when the lid was required to be lifted off to permit the horn to be rotated 360 degrees? This is the model that has the unique lid hinges allowing the lid to be hooked over the back (once removed) when the machine is in use.

I need help either finding the part or getting a good replica made. Does anyone here with a Schools Model have a photograph showing what the lid-stay actually looks like?

I would appreciate any help even if I end up having to adapt an alternative HMV type to do the job.

Many thanks,

Steve

[barnettrp21122]

Maybe these will help. I hope so!

The metal is about 2mm thick.
Good luck!
Bob

[Steve]

Many thanks, Bob, that is seriously appreciated.

Could you possibly also show the 'other' part that the piece above attaches to? What I can't understand is how the thing actually works. Maybe seeing it on the machine in the 'fixed' and 'released' positions might help? Thanks again for your valued input.

Steve

[barnettrp21122]

Happy to help, Steve:

Here is the lower support piece, front view:

Here's a view from above. The groove space between the inner and outer "hubs" is about 2mm wide.

And here's the lid stay in the open locked position. The outer "hub" of the lower support is just small enough in diameter to fit through the lower slot opening. The support then glides on the groove space when the lid is opened and closed. When open, gravity makes it catch on the tooth at the bottom of the support slot. The lid stay is loose enough on the upper rivet to swing freely.

Hope this helps!
Bob

[Steve]

Aha! Now I get it! That's absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much, Bob, for all your kind efforts. I don't need anything else. What you have shown here gives me enough information to hopefully find or adapt something similar from Victor / HMV. I've downloaded all the pictures and will investigate the possibility of getting one made to that exact specification. Thank you for the clear pictures and careful measurements. At a risk of asking an obvious question: has anyone got one spare for sale?

As far as I'm aware this lid-stay arrangement is unique to this machine. Am I right? If so, I'll probably have to get it made anyway!

Thanks again and all the best,

Steve

[OrthoSean]

Steve,

I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure this lid stay is the same one that would have also been used on a VV-VIII or a VV-IX also, so if you send dimensions to George Vollema of the one you need, I'd be willing to bet they are the same. I can check my Schoolhouse and VV-VIII later today when I'm home to confirm if that would help.

Sean

[Steve]

Sean,

If you do have both the VV-VIII and Schoolhouse models, I would definitely appreciate it if you would kindly check and compare the lid-stays for me. I suppose it's almost academic to say that if they are indeed the same, it makes sense for me to try and get one from George Vollema as presumably they would not be as difficult to find as first thought?

Thanks

Steve

[barnettrp21122]

Steve and Sean:
Hey, yeah, these stays, along with the lower support plate are the same EXCEPT that the support on the VV-IX is on the right side of the inner case, and the Schoolhouse's is on the left side. That means that the lid stay piece would have to be flipped over in order for the tooth to catch on the lower support. Here's a picture to help clarify:

If George has the part, I'd bet it'd be easy for him to undo the rivet and flip this over for you.
Good luck again!
Bob

[OrthoSean]

Thanks for helping out, Bob! I got caught up in work stuff all night. So it seems they would be interchangeable, no? The one on my VV-VIII is the same as yours on the IX.

Sean

[barnettrp21122]

Sean:
That work stuff can be bothersome! Yes, the support pieces should work, provided the lid stay is turned around as mentioned above.
Onward to Union!
Bob