[ James Huling wrote in 131226 MMDigest:

> I would like to know, if possible, how to tell if it's a single
> or double comb model, and how I can determine the model number.

Regarding the question of a single vs. a double comb Stella, because
of the way it's mounted, the second comb on any Stella is hard to see.
The comb is mounted _vertically_ beneath the star wheel assembly.
The only way to see it is to (1) remove the star wheel assembly or
(2) look from the left side of the bedplate towards the center post.
If there is a comb lead showing just beyond the center post (in the
cutout in the bedplate for the comb leads) then you have a double comb.

There are a number of models of Stellas listed in the book,
"Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments", by Bowers.  If you
don't have a copy, I have some used ones for sale or you could send
me a picture of yours.  There are not as many different case styles in
Stellas as there are in Reginas.  Most of the Stellas you find in the
U.S. have cases that were made in the U.S.  The movements were brought
to this country 'naked' and the cases were made here to match our
Victorian furniture styles.  Most were done in mahogany, though
occasionally you see some cases in oak.

The discs for the 15.5" Stella are much harder to find than the more
popular 17-1/4" models.

A word of caution: _never_ play a disc that has any roughness on the
underside.  The star wheels will catch on the roughness and cause undue
pressure on the teeth, sometimes causing the teeth to break.

Enjoy!

Nancy Fratti - Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
Canastota, New York, USA
http://www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com/