I have just been sent by a customer a small barrel piano, marked
"Verbena" and "REIG" "organ #728".  It is not an organ, but it plays
15 piano notes (tuned steel rods) and two bells, cymbal and castanet.
It was designed to play four (4) tunes, which were selectable from
the left side with a crank (now entirely absent).

The barrel is gray plastic, 10-3/8" long, and removable from the right
side panel through a small circular "door".  This unit is in very poor
condition; the case was cracked (now repaired) and three of the original
15 tuned steel rods are now broken off.  There is also a lot of wear in
the holes at each end where the barrel arbor turns.  On the plus side,
the main hand crank, worm gear and drive gear on the barrel are all in
good shape.

Does anyone have one of these intact, and in working condition such
that I might be able to obtain some photographs and perhaps measurements
and details of the missing snail cam gear that changes the tunes?  This
thing was made in Italy and although the design seems good, the quality
of this particular unit seems very, very poor.  I am accustomed to
repairing Swiss cylinder music boxes so poor original workmanship is
not something I am used to dealing with.  My customer wants this
repaired but without some help from one of your folks I am inclined to
pass on this job.  Advice appreciated.

Reg Smith - Sublime Harmony Music Box Restorations
Athens, Georgia