Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

rortonuk · 29th Jun 2008, 9:24 pm

Hi all,

dropped on this forum in the search for some answers about the ID of a HMV gramophone i have,

I have attached some pictures below. Cant really see anything that looks like it !

It has a number 2 soundbox, and a very ornate logo on the inside lid.

The speed regulator seems quite unique, in the fact that its has a 'screw' turn, with the legend behind a little window (but no glass in the window)

There is also a little wooden section at the rear, with 3 holes in it, i dont know if that is of any significance?

Any help identifying this would be greatly appreciated.

ppppenguin · 29th Jun 2008, 9:41 pm

Welcome to the forum.

It's an HMV 109. Nice instrument. A friend has got one and it works well. the doors work as a sort of volume control.
http://www.windupgram.co.uk/hmv109.htm

I have a 104 which I think is technically similar but differently laid out. Also works very well.
http://home.no.net/errykkje/Grammofon/hmv104.htm

rortonuk · 29th Jun 2008, 9:41 pm

few more pics...

rortonuk · 29th Jun 2008, 9:45 pm

hi, thanks for the reply,

I did drop on a few pics of the 109, but didnt really think that was the model.

Looking at the pic on your link, the logo on the lid looks different, and also it doesnt have the extra 'pot' with the 3 holes in, and the prop/stay mechanism is on the opposite side.

ppppenguin · 29th Jun 2008, 9:52 pm

I agree, yours is a little different. The basic concept is similar to the 109 but yours looks a little more deluxe.

geofy · 30th Jun 2008, 11:15 am

A HMV 103 is advertised in my local paper, it appears to be an auction house as it is also on the net if 'googled', which I am assured is painless

Patrick Dixon · 30th Jun 2008, 11:53 am

This is my HMV 103 (with a soundbox No4) which again is similar, but not quite identical:

Patrick Dixon · 30th Jun 2008, 12:31 pm

From this page:- http://www.gramophones.info/gramophones.hmv.108.html

"The 108 Model number is to be found carved into the wooden top of the internal horn. It would be 1926 before HMV finally had the bright idea of openly displaying Model numbers on their Table Grand Gramophones."

So I guess you could have a look there.

chipp1968 · 30th Jun 2008, 1:53 pm

The others shown are later ,Jeoffreys being most modern at around 1930 The no 2 soundbox points at 1924 or before .I think the much improved no 4 came out around that time .
Im not sure when that regulater started being made but it may not have been much earlier .

mickjjo · 30th Jun 2008, 2:26 pm

Another possibility is the model 110, there is a picture of one here:-

http://www.camcentre.co.uk/shop/inde...&productId=137

The lid stay is on the right, it has a No. 2 soundbox and dates from 1921-24, but the picture is not too clear...

.

Regards, Mick.

rortonuk · 30th Jun 2008, 6:27 pm

thanks for the replies so far.

I'll take the securing screws out from around the turntable and have a look on the internal horn.

The lid hinges nicely to allow access to the mechanism for oiling etc, and the little printed piece of paper with oiling instructions on is perfectly legible,

rortonuk · 30th Jun 2008, 6:41 pm

quick update, i have '418' carved into the underside of the lid the you have to open to get to the mechanism.

Does that mean anything?!

rob1965 · 4th Jul 2008, 6:41 pm

Hi, I'm sure you are beginning to realise that these HMV instruments can be notoriously difficult to identify. Part of the reason for this is that older styles were often 'upgraded' with new technology, such as an improved soundbox, or HMV used up old style cases, fitting them with more up to date workings.

I am pretty sure that the case of your gramophone belongs to a Model No.9, which appeared in HMV's 1921 catalogue. However, this model was supplied with the "Exhibition" type soundbox, and satin brass fittings. However the rounded corners are indicative of that model, as is the position of the needle bowls and lid-stay.

The machine itself, with its No. 2 soundbox is either a Model 125 or a 110. If the turntable is 12" in diameter, it is a 125. If the turntable is 10" in diameter, it is a 110. Looking at your machine, with the record in situ, it looks like a 12" turntable. Is there an automatic brake? That would confirm its identity as a 125

Machines with No.2 soundboxes appeared for only a very short time in 1924, as the rather inferior No 2 soundboxes were replaced with the No. 4, that was developed to play the new electrically recorded records. Thus, No. 2 soundboxes are very scarce, particularly in good condition.

Hope this helps

Rob

29th Jun 2008, 9:24 pm	#1
rortonuk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5	Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox Hi all, dropped on this forum in the search for some answers about the ID of a HMV gramophone i have, I have attached some pictures below. Cant really see anything that looks like it ! It has a number 2 soundbox, and a very ornate logo on the inside lid. The speed regulator seems quite unique, in the fact that its has a 'screw' turn, with the legend behind a little window (but no glass in the window) There is also a little wooden section at the rear, with 3 holes in it, i dont know if that is of any significance? Any help identifying this would be greatly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Darren-UK; 30th Jun 2008 at 1:33 am. Reason: Converted images to thumbnails.

29th Jun 2008, 9:41 pm	#2
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox Welcome to the forum. It's an HMV 109. Nice instrument. A friend has got one and it works well. the doors work as a sort of volume control. http://www.windupgram.co.uk/hmv109.htm I have a 104 which I think is technically similar but differently laid out. Also works very well. http://home.no.net/errykkje/Grammofon/hmv104.htm

29th Jun 2008, 9:41 pm	#3
rortonuk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox few more pics... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Darren-UK; 30th Jun 2008 at 1:39 am. Reason: Converted images to thumbnails.

29th Jun 2008, 9:45 pm	#4
rortonuk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox hi, thanks for the reply, I did drop on a few pics of the 109, but didnt really think that was the model. Looking at the pic on your link, the logo on the lid looks different, and also it doesnt have the extra 'pot' with the 3 holes in, and the prop/stay mechanism is on the opposite side.

29th Jun 2008, 9:52 pm	#5
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox I agree, yours is a little different. The basic concept is similar to the 109 but yours looks a little more deluxe. Attached Thumbnails

30th Jun 2008, 11:15 am	#6
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox A HMV 103 is advertised in my local paper, it appears to be an auction house as it is also on the net if 'googled', which I am assured is painless

30th Jun 2008, 11:53 am	#7
Patrick Dixon Hexode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 480	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox This is my HMV 103 (with a soundbox No4) which again is similar, but not quite identical: Attached Thumbnails

30th Jun 2008, 12:31 pm	#8
Patrick Dixon Hexode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 480	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox From this page:- http://www.gramophones.info/gramophones.hmv.108.html "The 108 Model number is to be found carved into the wooden top of the internal horn. It would be 1926 before HMV finally had the bright idea of openly displaying Model numbers on their Table Grand Gramophones." So I guess you could have a look there.

30th Jun 2008, 1:53 pm	#9
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox The others shown are later ,Jeoffreys being most modern at around 1930 The no 2 soundbox points at 1924 or before .I think the much improved no 4 came out around that time . Im not sure when that regulater started being made but it may not have been much earlier .

30th Jun 2008, 2:26 pm	#10
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox Another possibility is the model 110, there is a picture of one here:- http://www.camcentre.co.uk/shop/inde...&productId=137 The lid stay is on the right, it has a No. 2 soundbox and dates from 1921-24, but the picture is not too clear... . Regards, Mick.

30th Jun 2008, 6:27 pm	#11
rortonuk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox thanks for the replies so far. I'll take the securing screws out from around the turntable and have a look on the internal horn. The lid hinges nicely to allow access to the mechanism for oiling etc, and the little printed piece of paper with oiling instructions on is perfectly legible,

30th Jun 2008, 6:41 pm	#12
rortonuk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox quick update, i have '418' carved into the underside of the lid the you have to open to get to the mechanism. Does that mean anything?!

4th Jul 2008, 6:41 pm	#13
rob1965 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Preston Posts: 2	Re: Help identifying a HMV Mahogany player with number 2 soundbox Hi, I'm sure you are beginning to realise that these HMV instruments can be notoriously difficult to identify. Part of the reason for this is that older styles were often 'upgraded' with new technology, such as an improved soundbox, or HMV used up old style cases, fitting them with more up to date workings. I am pretty sure that the case of your gramophone belongs to a Model No.9, which appeared in HMV's 1921 catalogue. However, this model was supplied with the "Exhibition" type soundbox, and satin brass fittings. However the rounded corners are indicative of that model, as is the position of the needle bowls and lid-stay. The machine itself, with its No. 2 soundbox is either a Model 125 or a 110. If the turntable is 12" in diameter, it is a 125. If the turntable is 10" in diameter, it is a 110. Looking at your machine, with the record in situ, it looks like a 12" turntable. Is there an automatic brake? That would confirm its identity as a 125 Machines with No.2 soundboxes appeared for only a very short time in 1924, as the rather inferior No 2 soundboxes were replaced with the No. 4, that was developed to play the new electrically recorded records. Thus, No. 2 soundboxes are very scarce, particularly in good condition. Hope this helps Rob