[ James Patrick wrote in 141128 MMDigest:

> Are 22 1/8" discs referred to as 22.5" just to simplify it? ...
> Do the Polyphons with bells require a special disc to actuate
> the bells or will one disc play on both types of machines?

Jim,  Regarding your 22-1/2" Polyphon Bell Box.  I restored one of
these boxes with saucer bells for Marty Roenigk many years ago and
it was one of the most beautiful sounding boxes I've ever heard.
Before Marty and Elise picked it up, I played it for three staff
members of the local historical society who happened to be visiting.
I played them "Silent Night".  When the tune ended, one of the ladies
was literally in tears.

I just measured one of those 22-1/2" discs and it was exactly 56
centimeters in diameter.  Sure enough, that comes out to 22-1/8 inches,
not 22-1/2".  Looks like I've been referring to it incorrectly all
these years.

The Polyphon bell box plays a special disc that will play only on this
box and no other.  Also, no other disc will play on the bell box.  The
bells play from the 16 outer tracks on the disk, totally independent
of the tracks for the two combs.  I think one of the folks who punches
reproduction disks does this size but I don't have contact information
at the moment.

Regards,
Craig Smith
Upstate New York