In a Nutshell
Beautiful high-end orthophonic gramophone

Introduction:
"His Master's Voice" (HMV) is the British trademark for gramophones made by the Gramophone Company, as is Victor for the US branch. The UK Gramophone Co. had about the widest network of International subsidiaries, both for manufacturing and marketing. The branch in the British "Ray" (that is the rule of the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947) was the Gramophone Company of India Ltd., Calcutta, with production facilities in Dum Dum. Several HMV external horn machines, notably models No. 25, 27, 29, 31 through 34, were exported exclusively to India, equiped with British HMV hardware and locally built cabinets, preferentially from Teak wood. All were orthophonic machines and most of them had the 1921 powerhouse 2-spring motor No. 32, used also in many British HMV models. Reproducers were the HMV 5A and 5B sound boxes, as well as the original Victor Talking Machine orthophonic sound box. Model 31 has an automatic brake and the A version has a "large bore" tonearm. My machine has the HMV 5A sound box upgraded to a Victor orthophonic sound box, both having receptacles for fibre needles. The 11-petal 21" morning glory horn was typically used in many HMV gramophones of the era. These "Colonial Gramophones" are said to be the last external horn machines built. They were succeeded by internal horn machines like Victor's Victrolas. Don't be fooled by the many India-made gramophones, so-called crap-o-phones that are flooding eBay. Ref.2 and many others teach you the unmistakable differences between crapophones and the real thing. There are at least 5 youtube videos demonstrating HMV model 31, some of them comparing and/or combining it with EMG (Ellis Michael Ginn) hand-made gramophones, but none by playing classical music. My youtube video (ref.4 or click on thumbnail 45) plays the Christmas Oratorio No. 4 "Bereite Dich, Zion", sung in German by contralto Marian Anderson (see ref.3). This precious record is side 4 of her album "Bach Arias", RCA Red Seal DM1087, 1947 and is played with a bamboo fibre needle to protect it; the album is part of this sale.

Additional information:
ref.1: http://grammophon-platten.de/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?28320
ref.2: http://www.gramophones.uk.com/information/fake_indian_gramophones.html
ref.3: http://www.biography.com/people/marian-anderson-9184422
ref.4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vObaIcq4ipA&feature=youtu.be

About my gramophone:
Ref.1 is about another restoration of this rare gramophone (in German). The teak cabinet of mine has been refinished in the authentic not too dark color, and a new authentic decal expertly reproduced by Eduardo Portilla in Lima, Peru. Note that the decal's writing does not include the British manufacture in Hayes, Middlesex. The 21" x 23" morning glory horn has the original finish. The upper works are in excellent condition with some of the parts under the turntable having been repainted. The turntable's periphery has been retreaded. Tonearm, sound box and horn elbow have the original chrome finish. The double-spring HMV model 32 motor is perfect and can be fully wound up. All gears have been painstakingly cleaned and lubricated. The Victor orthophonic sound box has been serviced, and new ball bearings installed. The automatic brake works flawlessly. The gramophone can be seen and heard playing in a youtube video (ref.4) or by clicking on thumbnail 45. The 3-record album "Bach Arias" sung by contralto Marian Anderson (pict.44) is included in the sale. Many more 78 rpm records of all tastes are available on request. Please e-mail me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.

Here are the specifications:

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