Sorry for a bit of thread creep folks but..
English Jon...
... Was it modified to play drones in both directions?... Yes, Peter had a bit of bent metal attached to one of the end bolts which he could swing around to press down one buttons on the front row (accidentals) of his 3 row box. He was quite pleased with his invention.

..I'll go and stand in a corner in my dunce's cap now... Don't do that! It's interesting that you, even as a player, thought he was playing English. And it also gives another anspect to Mariners question about what type of box would suit his needs.

And he would have delighted to have someone of your youthful age say that he was the reason you took up the box. Last time I spoke to him he was sad that he seemed to be categorised as a 'boring old traddie' by the folk entrepreneur festival mafia. Times are changing, but some of the jewels have been lost along the way.
Take care .. wes