Featured My latest music box project "Piano"

This was in rough shape when i first got it.
Guy sold it to me for $5 because it didn't work and was so rough.
I repaired and cleaned the mechanism so it plays perfectly, (Don't know what tune it plays yet) The finish on the exterior was pretty much gone. had to clamp and glue part was coming apart on the lower rear. I am close but not quite finished. I still have to come up with the support for the lid and stop mechanism when the lid closes.
I hope you all like what I've done so far. Wish i had taken before pics. The wood is American Walnut
Mikey

 

Very Nice.
Well done.

 

So sweet.

Debora

 

I'd half bet the wood is American but the woodworking is Italian. That's a very Italianate rose. Often the base is marked with the tune but this one isn't. Probably made the cases and then sold them to whoever added the innards. Or some such.

It sure looks better than it started out! I don't even want to think of what was done to the poor thing.

 

I bet that's Sorrento made with a Reuge mechanism.

 

Beat me to the Sorrento guess. I have had quite a few of them and they can bring high prices.

 

Beautiful work! You should open a restoration shop with @kyratango !

 

It is Reuge. The only other one I saw like it was a Sorrento. Had the same flower and wood type. A newer one probably 1970s
that was in o k condition and they were asking $95. Mine is a little earlier, before the Phillips head screws.

 

That sounds like work. I could not be compared to her, She is an artistic miracle worker!

 

I would think the pre 54 one would be worth more than that.

 

Great job, Mikey. And a sweet Sorrento box, with nice inlay.

I think you'll find that it speaks with an Italian accent. Sorrento makers typically work(ed) with native Italian wood, including walnut.

 

Bulldogs, that is a HUGE compliment
Your restoration is VERY NIIICE!!!

 

Thank you very much AJ
The only sticker on the bottom reads Genuine American Walnut.

 

American Walnut it is then. Maybe only the lid is Sorrento?

 

is there a number on the drum? only remaining one I have from my mother has 4287 embossed on the drum, which is Edelweiss. if you search Reuge followed by the number you might get the title of the tune.

 

American walnut was introduced to Europe in the 17th C, so it might well be Italian grown.

https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/photos-easternblackwalnut/ita/

 

This reminds us to ask... anyone know if it's possible to fix a music box (musical mechanism, really) that uses a winding key but has been overwound so that it's stuck / frozen / jammed?

 

It is, but it's tricky. I'd try a good WD40 squirt first off.

 

Yes.