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I am getting ready to replicate some Spanish style Martin guitars from the 1840's and 50's. My problem is trying to find tuning machines that resemble the old Jerome's and Demet's of the period. The Roger's and Rubner's that are available just look too "upscale". Anybody have any suggestions?
I could make them from scratch (like I have done for the Stauffer style tuners), the gears are the only difficult part. Thanks, in advance for any help.

Grant Goltz

check these out:
https://www.umanovguitars.com/products/ ... ners-1870s

Thanks for the link. A bit spendy for a set that has a bad gear. I do have a reparable set of Seidel's that I got for $200. Looks like my next step will be to "gear up" for making gears and worms. The plates, string pegs and buttons are pretty easy to make, either in brass or nickel silver. I anticipate needing a half dozen sets, so worth the effort.

I would probably cheat and just make some new base plates for something like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363073662008?h ... SwwVBbmM65 https://www.ebay.com/itm/364007590866?e ... SwZoZjP5SF

Too many rabbit holes, too little time left.

I hear you. Problem is, part of my background is making perfect replica items for museum exhibits and the gears are all wrong on these.

Perfection can lead to bending ivory bindings with phosphoric acid and making limited runs of purfles to get things "perfect". C. F. Martin himself didn't worry about such things and would change a specification on the fly if he couldn't get the exact same item. I do agree with you it is nice to get things right - what 99 percent of the people wouldn't notice, the Purest will pick apart and call a "fraud".
I don't think I could ever build a replica - I am too willing to put myself into the work.