I have acquired what I can only describe as a gem of a barrel piano
which bears the name Vuarin Le Guy on the front panel.  I assume that
it is either French or Belgian.

It plays a ten tune barrel of lively marches and quick waltzes which is
labelled "Interchangeable" in large block capitals and bears a number
also in large capitals.  All the arrangements are of the mandoline
variety (rapidly repeated notes) and are a delight to listen to.

The instrument has 32 notes (hammers) including a bell and what appear
to be two drum strikers.  However the drum, if it was one, is missing,
and I should be most grateful if any kind MMDer could let me know if
they know of another similar piano so that I could obtain a picture of
the missing part.  I am suspicious as to whether it was actually a drum
and because the two strikers are wooden and do not work well when a
small drum is held up to them whilst the piano is playing.  I wonder
therefore whether the missing part could have been a tuned wooden
block.

Now (and this is a long shot), does anyone out there (in France or
Belgium?) know of any orphan interchangeable 10 tune barrels?  The
dimensions are 24" (61 cm) long, 11" (28 cm) diameter.

There must have been a lot of these as mine bears the serial no. 2651.
A reply in French would be fine but my language skills do not extend
to writing in French!

David Snelling, Isle of Man, British Isles.