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I've always wanted one of these machines since seeing them on the 1930s/40s HMV covers. (I didn't see the covers back then, of course!) But was wondering if this one has the correct motor? I'm not sure what the handle sticking out of the top is for? Have never seen that on one of the illustrations. I love these magnetic pickups (have the same one in my HMV radiogram).

eBay Item #180693014592

Regards, Glenn.

The good news is that this HMV 122 is completely original.
The bad news is that you'll be bidding against me to get it

Shane,

I never get into bidding wars with friends, so it's all yours mate!

Regards, Glenn.

(what's the handle for on the top?)

recordo wrote:
(what's the handle for on the top?)

Judging that there doesn't seem to be a separate power cord (only the plug for the radio), I'd guess it was a crank for a spring motor.

Bill

Yes but there's a hole for the crank on the side.

Hi Glen:

You mean that hole near the turntable with what looks to be the crank sticking out of it?

From what I see, it's a hole near the turntable with the crank sticking out of it....

You'll notice it's held in place with a clip in this photo:



Seems, for whatever reason, they included a crank storage hole, so the crank could be removed from the side, and stored on the top, as was the case with many portables. I agree, it's kind of odd, considering it's not really a portable. (Maybe the mfg. used the same motor-board for a different style model that had a conventional lid and carrying handle?)

Thanks OF. I never even noticed the clip.

Have only ever come across two of these in my time. I think they're cute.

here's the cover I was talking about in my first post.

regards, Glenn.

Wow $448.00!! Didn't think it was worth that much.
Looks kind of small for that kind of money!
Any one here the lucky winner?

The lucky winner would be me
It was hovering around $300 until the last couple minutes. Good thing I put in a $600 bid 60 secs before it closed because it jumped to my winning bid about 20 secs before it ended.
I probably paid a little too much, but I was determined to get it.
The spring motored version is actually quite rare now days, mainly because back in the 70s & 80s they were a popular choice out here, to be converted to crapophones. They used to mount a tonearm where the needle cup is, and a repro Edison 8 panel horn was mounted in place of the pick-up & conduit connected the two under the motor board.
The electric motored version was of no interest to collectors, so they are far more common now, & usually sell for around $100-$200.
The all electric model was available as an HMV or Columbia, & both seem to turn up on UK Ebay quite frequently, but I've never seen a spring motor machine offered in England.
Mine was made in Sydney, so perhaps a spring motor 122 was never offered in England??

Ortho_Fan wrote:
Seems, for whatever reason, they included a crank storage hole, so the crank could be removed from the side, and stored on the top, as was the case with many portables. I agree, it's kind of odd, considering it's not really a portable. (Maybe the mfg. used the same motor-board for a different style model that had a conventional lid and carrying handle?)

I've always wondered about that myself, but the seller answered that question without me even asking.
He has a second machine which he sent me a picture of, which I've posted below.
Now it all makes sense
I didn't even know such a thing existed!
I've never seen any reference to a lid being available, and I've never seen one here or in England, so perhaps they are an Aussie only optional extra? Obviously it would fit the electric machine as well.
When I first saw it,I thought it may have been innovative home made dust cover, but clearly the crank storage was originally designed/provided with these lids in mind.
I'd imagine these lids/covers are a very rare item that didn't sell very well from the start, and the survival rate of those that did sell must be extremely low.
No doubt most people were far happier to leave the retailers with the machine in a cardboard box, and to spend the extra cash on records.