Dear MMD,  Can anyone help me with the restoration of a Mira/Empress
console musical box restoration?  I have a Chippendale model 18.5"
console case with string inlay.  Unfortunately it is missing some
hardware and I am looking for detailed photographs of the following
which are missing: the brass keyhole escutcheons, the square cup
castors and the internal catch for the console doors. I also need the
dimensions of the winding handle and a good photo of the celluloid
patent label pinned to the back of the inside case.

Does anyone know the process for taking an impression of an existing
escutcheon with a putty like substances that goes hard once an
impression has been taken, and what low melt metal is suitable to cast
copies?  I hope someone with the same machine would be willing to help
in the instruments return to its original look and specification.

Thanks,
Mark Buckland