The 102E was produced for 10 years between 1948 and 1958. It had the desirable 5B soundbox with an improved pot metal back over the 5A and the 270D motor. Unlike its predecessors it sported no panel in the lid, a flush motor board, which did away with the necessity for a winding handle escutcheon in the lower part of the case, and corner shields. The blue example just needed a service, the replacement of the tonearm clip and the fitting of a washer and circlip to the winding handle. Easily dated by its rectangular plaque on the motor board which reads B/13, dating gramophone to 1949 i.e. 1936 when this particular dating system began +13 years.
Whilst the Blue 102E is from the year after the model was launched the Red example comes from the end of the 102's run. In fact it must represent one of the last acoustic gramophones produced by anyone. The red machine had already undergone some level of restoration when I acquired it and therefore has simply been serviced.
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Production dates all models: 1931-1958
HMV 102E: 1948 - 1958
Soundbox: HMV No. 5B
Motor: Type 270D
Turntable: 10"
Autobrake: No. 6
Price: 1949 not known
1958 £15. 10s. 0d.
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