This set of original chrome Grover “milk-bottle” Rotomatics  (102C) has been in a parts drawer at Gryphon for many years.  If we haven’t used them by now maybe it’s time they migrate to someone who has a more immediate need for them. Martin switched from nickel Rotomatics to chrome in 1965, according to notes Mike Longworth made a few years later. These have the “Pat. Pend. U.S.A” stamped on the circular gear cover, with no USA markings on the casting. Note the 5/8” diameter chrome domed washers, and the six Phillips head mounting screws, which appear to be nickel (although these screws were packed with the tuners we obviously can’t claim they must be original but you’ll find photos of original D-28 and D-18 models from ’66 and ’67 with these tuners and what look like nickel screws). These gears all turn smoothly and have what appear to be the original slot-head  machine screws in the metal buttons. 

We don’t know for sure which Gibson guitar models came with this particular style Grover Rotomatic, but Martin D-28 models were shipped with chrome Rotomatics in late 1965, and D-18 and D-21 models got them by 1966. We're not sure what year Martin discontinued using these tuners, but the Pat. Pend.-stamped versions appear at least as late as 1972, and later Martins used similar Grover Rotomatics but the version with no stamping on the circular gear cover and with USA added to the casting on the back side of the "milk bottle".

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