I usually avoid fake gramophones. They are flooding the market and are generally worthless except, perhaps, as decoration. However, among a collection of nice phonographs I bought recently was this “Gramophone”. The machine had been purchased in a Russian market during a coach tour ( back in the days when this was a good idea!) and smuggled out hidden in the luggage. On close inspection it appeared to me that this was the ultimate “Frankenphone”.

The hexagonal case ( Did anyone actually make gramophones with hexagonal cases?) with glass windows is probably from India, quite elaborately made, The back-bracket looks like a Pathe item and the tone arm is from an HMV 102 portable, the brake and speed regulator are HMV parts. The sound-box is Russian as is the motor. The small brass horn is a replica. To my great surprise, the “Gramophone” works really well and I can understand why the owner set great store by it and its history. It had been, apparently, used to entertain at local events in Tavistock.