8/131 Nicole Freres Fat Cylinder Keywind Cartel circa 1847
Serial no. 25668, Gamme no. 917
Bought at auction February 2026.
Although the lid is marked, the inlays are intact so I'm sure it will clean up very nicely.
The Scumble finish to the sides looks to be in reasonable shape too.
There is a loose glass cover that's not in good condition.
The movement is very dirty and covered in oil but it does run, just.
The comb is a bit rusty & caked in sticky oil, there are two missing teeth, two missing tips and the dampers need sorting.
It looks like it will need a full re-pin as there are a lot of bent pins at the bass end.
The tunesheet, although in several pieces, is nearly all there and I have been able to decipher the tunes and restore it with the help of AI. See here
The Scumble finish to the sides looks to be in reasonable shape too.
There is a loose glass cover that's not in good condition.
The movement is very dirty and covered in oil but it does run, just.
The comb is a bit rusty & caked in sticky oil, there are two missing teeth, two missing tips and the dampers need sorting.
It looks like it will need a full re-pin as there are a lot of bent pins at the bass end.
The tunesheet, although in several pieces, is nearly all there and I have been able to decipher the tunes and restore it with the help of AI. See here
February 2026 - Dismantling begins
Lots of polishing reveals some good news. The oil has come off.
I can't see any major issues with the mechanics.
The pins are not quite as bad as I thought, but I'm a third along with the straightener and they are getting worse.
I can't see any major issues with the mechanics.
The pins are not quite as bad as I thought, but I'm a third along with the straightener and they are getting worse.
16th February 2026
After hours of pin straightening, with a lot of them breaking, I've reassembled the mechanism and got it running, albeit too slowly.
I've not polished the cylinder as there's no point if it's going to be re-pinned, but I have cleaned the comb up a bit.
After hours of pin straightening, with a lot of them breaking, I've reassembled the mechanism and got it running, albeit too slowly.
I've not polished the cylinder as there's no point if it's going to be re-pinned, but I have cleaned the comb up a bit.
16th February 2026
So this is where we are at.
Mechanism running, but slowly, but note that the comb has now been degreased.
Endless worm needs polishing and governor adjusting.
Four comb teeth to replace, most dampers missing or damaged, tuning.
Full cylinder re-pin.
So this is where we are at.
Mechanism running, but slowly, but note that the comb has now been degreased.
Endless worm needs polishing and governor adjusting.
Four comb teeth to replace, most dampers missing or damaged, tuning.
Full cylinder re-pin.
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The case.
The lid has some lovely marquetry. It's all intact, bar one small piece that's lifted.
It does need attention to remove the stains and brighten it up.
The hinges are loose with some screws having broken heads and pulled through. Will need drilling out.
The end flap staple is missing - easily replaced.
I've discussed the glass cover with Laurence Fisher who thinks it was probably added by the retailer before it went to the customer.
I have decided to remove it rather than try to stop it rattling or to protect the jagged edges. In any case, it has to be removed to open the end flap to wind or control the mechanism, so it serves no useful purpose.
The Tunesheet is in four pieces with some areas missing. It's mainly deciphered but I will do more research.
The lid has some lovely marquetry. It's all intact, bar one small piece that's lifted.
It does need attention to remove the stains and brighten it up.
The hinges are loose with some screws having broken heads and pulled through. Will need drilling out.
The end flap staple is missing - easily replaced.
I've discussed the glass cover with Laurence Fisher who thinks it was probably added by the retailer before it went to the customer.
I have decided to remove it rather than try to stop it rattling or to protect the jagged edges. In any case, it has to be removed to open the end flap to wind or control the mechanism, so it serves no useful purpose.
The Tunesheet is in four pieces with some areas missing. It's mainly deciphered but I will do more research.
Restoring the lid.
As can be seen in the images above, the lid is badly stained in several places.
There have been some repairs made in the past and there are some small pieces of stringing missing.
The first thing to do is clean the surface to break down the polish using 0000 grade steel wool dipped in methylated spirits. This not only lifts the polish, but it deposits some of the residue into cracks, especially around the inlay, where it sets hard. A kind of natural filler. Next the surface is abraded using Liberon 320 grit silica carbide abrasive paper, taking great care not to go through the veneers. The above processes are done on both sides and the lipping, wiped off and then inspected closely before a final rub with 400 grit silica carbide paper.
Note that the rings have all gone, the boxwood and inlays are much lighter and the coloured inlays are now prominent. I suspect that the box had had many years of wax polishing which had all but covered up the inlays.
Then comes the 'micro surgery' to repair and replace all the missing boxwood stringing. Firstly, all the old glue is carefully removed from the grooves using tiny modelling chisels. Then new boxwood is cut to the exact size to fit for each area. Once all are cut, they are carefully glued in place using hide glue, taped in place and left to dry. In this case, I can only repair one side at a time so this takes three days.
As can be seen in the images above, the lid is badly stained in several places.
There have been some repairs made in the past and there are some small pieces of stringing missing.
The first thing to do is clean the surface to break down the polish using 0000 grade steel wool dipped in methylated spirits. This not only lifts the polish, but it deposits some of the residue into cracks, especially around the inlay, where it sets hard. A kind of natural filler. Next the surface is abraded using Liberon 320 grit silica carbide abrasive paper, taking great care not to go through the veneers. The above processes are done on both sides and the lipping, wiped off and then inspected closely before a final rub with 400 grit silica carbide paper.
Note that the rings have all gone, the boxwood and inlays are much lighter and the coloured inlays are now prominent. I suspect that the box had had many years of wax polishing which had all but covered up the inlays.
Then comes the 'micro surgery' to repair and replace all the missing boxwood stringing. Firstly, all the old glue is carefully removed from the grooves using tiny modelling chisels. Then new boxwood is cut to the exact size to fit for each area. Once all are cut, they are carefully glued in place using hide glue, taped in place and left to dry. In this case, I can only repair one side at a time so this takes three days.
Day 2
Remaining boxwood string repairs and cleaned up. Small holes and marks filled with hot wax followed by final sanding with 400 grit silica carbide abrasive paper. Several coats of pure shellac to both sides and edges.
Remaining boxwood string repairs and cleaned up. Small holes and marks filled with hot wax followed by final sanding with 400 grit silica carbide abrasive paper. Several coats of pure shellac to both sides and edges.
Day 3.
Box interior cleaned, hinges polished (note part serial number scratched on both) Key found and modified to fit the lock.
Lock refitted. Flap staple made and fitted. Movement refitted, tested and recorded.
Box interior cleaned, hinges polished (note part serial number scratched on both) Key found and modified to fit the lock.
Lock refitted. Flap staple made and fitted. Movement refitted, tested and recorded.
Day 4.
Lid refitted.
Final shellac and wax polish.
Just the tunesheet (see here) to finish sorting while it is away at the dentist, aka The Music Box Restorer
Lid refitted.
Final shellac and wax polish.
Just the tunesheet (see here) to finish sorting while it is away at the dentist, aka The Music Box Restorer
A short video of the current state. Doesn't sound too bad despite
playing slowly with many bass end notes not played due to missing pins.
playing slowly with many bass end notes not played due to missing pins.