Another very early example of the Edison Suitcase Home, this one is serial number H902. A number of differences can be seen from later examples. Most obvious is the weighted half nut arm; there is also a support cast into the top chassis for the lift lever to rest in; the reproducer is held in place by 2 screws. On the motor, the stop lever presses on the speed control yoke to stop the motor instead of having a separate stop pad pressing on the governor.

This machine dates from June 1897.
 

Close up of the early style weighted feed screw assembly. The small arm on the carriage and the metal tabs on the case are a mystery.

The motor is conventional for this era machine but the spring is completely foreign. It is much larger than the original obviously to make it play longer or it was needed for additional power. The spring is mounted to the bedplate by heavy wire twisted to secure it. Also it winds backwards and the crank revolves as it plays much like the early Columbia "A" series Graphophone.

The earliest cabinets had the Banner decal placed too high on the lid and the handle caused the decal to wear quickly. The decal was lowered after about the serial #2000

On the very earliest Homes a small wheel was placed on the carriage that rolled along the back bar. I guess they thought it was needed to reduce friction for the carriage sliding along the bar, It was quickly removed, some early Homes have the cast boss where the wheel was to be mounted, some are even drilled out.