The current debate on replacing teeth in musical box combs has been
of a great interest.  One or two of the suggested methods have been
nothing short of scary, and if practised, would in all probability
result in the total loss of the comb.

If an amateur restorer wants to attempt to replace a tooth or teeth,
then that's their prerogative, but it should be remembered that we are
only "custodians" of these fine instruments from the past, and as such
we have a duty to ensure that any repair is undertaken with the utmost
care and integrity.  Personally, I think both Frank Metzger and Reg
Smith got it dead right with their response to Phil Procter's posting:
good restorers earn their money, by doing the job properly.  So much so
that some of the work being carried out here in the UK at the moment is
of such a high quality, that it is _virtually_ undetectable to the
naked eye.

Like many in this forum, I have read most of the methods of repair
as prescribed in the current standard works on musical boxes.  However,
there is an exact written technique that many may not be aware of.
It can be found in 'The Watch & Clockmakers Handbook, a Dictionary &
Guide', by F.J. Britten.  First published in 1881 and still regarded by
many in antiquarian horology as 'The Bible'.  (Not that long ago it was
reprinted in a facsimile of the 11th addition, by Baron Publishing Ltd.,
of Woodbridge, Suffolk, and could be had for a very small sum of money)

In his notes Britten acknowledges the courtesy of Messrs C. Paillard &
Co., who had readily assisted him in his inquiries.  Much clarification
can be gleaned from his three pages on comb repair.  Short only of
asking the Nicole Brothers, what better pedigree could you honestly ask
for?

Mark Singleton
Lancashire, UK