help!

Please help! I have a portable wind up gramophone and when I wind the handle it is so stiff that it hardly moves. I'm worried about forcing it in case I break something...
My guess is this is a spring related issue, however i'm not sure and would really appreciate some help on what this is and how to fix it.
Thank you in advance.

Could be any number of reasons for this.

The simplest would be that the motor is fully wound. When you release the turntable's brake does it spin? If so, let it wind down completely.

If the turntable does NOT spin, then the winding ratchet, itself, could be gunked up with hardened grease or corroded. Try removing the handle by turning it backwards, or if this is a slot type fitting, pulling it out. Then, use some spray lubricant, or even WD-40, and spray it into the crank hole. Reinsert the crank and try again.

If this doesn't work, there may be a broken or damaged part involved with the winding mechanism. (Normally, if the motor's mainspring is broken, the crank will still turn.)

BTW, what brand of phonograph is this?

I'm totally blind, and can't see the name of it. I bought it from an antique centre, i think it's a hmv one if this helps.
The turntable does spin, and does actually wind, it just takes a lot of doing, and it wound easily before. I can wind it and it will play, but i can't wind it more than 2 or 3 turns without it jamming, and then it becomes a lot harder to wind, and i cairn't force it. Thank you for your help, it's appreciated.

Thanks. the wd40 trick worked, though it keeps on sticking, I can now wind it. maby the couple of sprays i gave it wern't enough or something, but now I know what to do. Thanks guys.