I would like to congratulate Todd Augsburger with his barrel organ
(050914 MMDigest).

> 1) It's a 22-key, 29-pipe barrel-operated organ.  Are there others
> in this group who have _barrel_ organs rather than rolls/MIDI, etc.?

1. I own a 44-key Gavioliflûte barrel organ.

> 2) There is no name or other identification that I can see, other
> than what appears to be a French phrase I'd translate as "1st class
> medal". ... What should I look for?

2. Was any number found inside?  The organ is certainly French, but it
could be of many makes.  Organs of this type were built between 1860 and
1900.  The style is reminiscent of Gavioli, but it is almost certainly
not a Gavioli (different upper lid, different pipework).  I assume there
is no name on the barrel.  Medals were won very frequently in the 19th
century.

> 3) It needs tuning.  Should the second rank (7 notes) be tuned in
> unison, or celeste?

3. Organs of that type were always tuned in unison or octaves.

> 4) I'd like to carry it using a strap and prop, rather than a cart.

4. Take a nice wide strap, that fits exactly in the brass hinges (there
are probably two iron ones at the bottom).  Make it long enough to carry
it obliquely over your left shoulder.  Now you should be able to crank
it with your right hand, tilting it lightly with your left hand.  I have
attached a picture.

Kind regards,
Hans van Oost, Netherlands