Stages in restoring this Very old ZINC August Schlott Harmonica. ca 1900. |
First stage, stripped down to component parts so that the plates can be cleaned of
corrosion (no rust because plates are ZINC) Plates lightly cleaned using rotary wire brush (miniature, similar to dentist tool) |
ZINC plates prior to cleaning, rivits rusty and plates corroded |
Wood comb cleaned and sealed with lacquer and plates cleaned and lacquered to prevent
any further corrosion. |
Plates after lacquering. |
Covers of ZINC after straighting and cleaning |
Replacing pinning in plates to comb using a small vice to push from both sides. |
Detail closeup of cover RHS says MARKE TELL and SOUVENIR POTPOURRI. Importe D'Allemagne" |
Detail closeup of centre of cover has picture of the Schlott factory circa 1907 in
Klingenthal. Germany. |
More details of covers. The man depicted is A.A Schlott. Founder. At least zinc covers are relatively easy to reshape. |
I determined the maker of this harp to be August Albert Schlott, Klingenthal, from a photo of his factory on page 137 of the "Harmonica Makers of Germany & Austria". A great book to have. Available from here: hcrain1@earthlink.net Schlott was one of the biggest harmonica manufacturers in the late 1800's into the 1900's. The company ran from1886 until nationalised by the soviets in 1972. |
This gives a better seal and saves hammering the harp, which may split it. |
