HMV 102 Portable Black Gramophone 1931-32

***EXCELLENT CONDITION***

*** SUPERB VALUE***

Offered for sale is a vintage HMV 102 portable gramophone built in 1931-32. The Serial No. is HMV1020 51942.The case is finished in black leathercloth and it has a steel one-piece wood-grained motor board with recessed motor top plate. It has been serviced with the motor being dismantled, the spring removed, cleaned and re-greased and is in excellent condition and in working order. It has been play tested and has a great sound.

The black leathercloth covered case is in excellent condition for its age with some very minor age related cosmetic marks (see photos).

The original black leather handle is in good condition.

Internally the gramophone is in an unusually good original condition. There are bright chromed parts including the tonearm, speed adjuster and manual brake, with no visible pitting. The chrome plated turntable is also in very good condition, but with some pitting of the plated surfaces, and with its brown felt in excellent condition.

The original No.5 Universal automatic brake has been removed as, when originally introduced in 1931, it proved unreliable in use. This should ensure that this gramophone will run without problems for many years.

Fitted with an HMV No.5B Soundbox in great condition and which has a great sound.

The original HMV Model 271-C motor and spring have been stripped, cleaned and lubricated, and so operates smoothly and quietly and should last for years to come.

On the right at the front of the motor board is a recessed sliding needle container.

Inside the case lid, there is the original & colourful HMV-Logo transfer, still beautifully bright clear and colourful.

It has variable speed, the main speed being 78 RPM. The speed has been checked using a Digital RPM meter and is spot on (I am including a Strobe Disc so that you can check yourself). The speed adjuster also works correctly. (See operating instructions booklet for how to use the Strobe Disc). 

The original winding handle is in very good condition with its gleaming chrome plating, though a small area is missing, and it clips neatly inside the lid of the gramophone. The spring motor is fully wound after about 40 turns and will easily play a 10 inch 78 rpm record.

Please view photos to judge the condition, as the photos form part of the description

Also Provided to get you going as soon as you receive the gramophone

- A 78 rpm 10 inch Shellac record (see operating instruction manual on how to correctly play records)  - Please see the video above of this gramophone playing the classic 1946 shellac record "Where The River Shannon Flows" sung by Bing Crosby. This shellac record is in Very Good condition and comes with in its original sleeve also in Very Good condition. The record is priced at £7 on the Discogs record database but is supplied FREE with this gramophone.

- 20 'soft' tone needles (see operating instructions manual provided with the gramophone on the different types of needle)

- A copy of an original HMV 102 Operating Instructions booklet

- A copy of an original advertisemnet for the HMV 102 Gramophone

- A guide on 'How to Operate Gramophones'

- A 'Strobe' Disc

Dimensions

The case is 42 cm long, 29 cm wide and 14 cm tall.

It weighs 6.5 Kg.