Hi Group,  I just bought a Mermod Freres 10-tune music box on an
Internet auction; I just could not see someone else getting it for
$99.00!  It is dirty and has nicks and dings to box.  It has a tune
card and plays several familiar tunes.

On a full wind it can only play five of the ten tunes and on some
tunes with a lot of notes playing at once it stalls.  It also seems
to me to be playing slowly.  This all sounds like a gunked-up spring.
No, I will not try to work on the spring -- I read the MMD!

It uses a phonograph type crank that is inserted on the right side of
the box.  The interior partition that is supposed to keep the crank out
of the works when stored is missing.  Do you have a source for solid
wood that is slightly less than 1/8" thick?  I would need a piece about
7-7/16" by 3-7/8".

The cylinder is 7-1/4 inches long.  The comb has no missing teeth or
tips.  I think it has 40 teeth.  It is hard to count because the zither
attachment is in the way.  The comb is stamped with an oval with a
cross.

On the right hand cylinder support is stamped the number 70929.  On
the Stop/Play plate is stamped Patented Sept. 22,1885, Dec. 6, 1886,
Mai. 8, 1888.  Under that is DRP 33516 and under that 43585 and under
that a shield with M. F. with a cross in between the letters and 1846.
It has a Jacot's Safety Check stamped Patented Sep. 22, 1886.

The box has a damaged decal on the lid.  Do you know if that would be
original?  Any information that you can give me about the box would be
greatly appreciated.

Jack M. Conway
Los Angeles, California, USA