Bruce,

The following applies if you decide to take a chance and purchase the
box, or if the current owners will let you do some in depth investigating
(disassembly) of the mechanism.

Before considering the removal and replacement all the lead tuning
weights on your Regina comb, you could try gently scraping away any
scaly, powdery build-up between the weights with a thin metal ruler,
modeler's saw, jeweler's saw, folded emery cloth, or anything that will
fit between the teeth.

Do this slowly and keep in mind that you are dealing with lead dust, and
you do not want to be breathing a whole lot of it.  Work with the comb
submersed in a tub of water if you like.

Removal of this scale and dust from the base teeth should not greatly
effect the tuning, unless the rot has advanced considerably.  Minor
re-tuning may be required, but this is certainly preferable to complete
re-leading which should only be considered as a last resort.

If you determine that the lead weights are not fused together, and the
teeth are free to vibrate, check to see if the leads might be hitting
against the damper rail, or bed plate as they drop.  The rail runs under
the comb, and if at some time it or the comb has been moved around it may
interfere.

The damper rail is more likely to interfere with the lift of the teeth,
but if the leads are badly mis-shapen or if the rail is not fitted or
shaped properly to clear the weights then it could also hinder the drop.
The bed plate is notched below the teeth for clearance, and again, if
things have been moved around, or the weights are bent up or crusty, that
clearance may be gone.

Good Luck.

Dan Wilson
Musical Box Restorations
Raleigh, NC

 [ Dan, I appended "NC" to your name to differentiate you from our
 [ other Dan Wilson in London.  I hope he will approve of "UK" !
 [ We want to preserve your respective identities in the Index
 [ of MMD articles at the MMD web site.  -- Robbie