Posted 10 years ago
antiquelad…
(7 items)
Just bought this clock at an estate auction. Love it! Only problem is I don't know anything about the old clocks. I did have a key that works in both slots. The left slot turns clockwise the right slot turns counter clockwise. It does chime when you move the big hand to the 12 position. But it doesnt move on its own. I am afraid to wind it or mess with it. Can anyone tell me how it works? Also any information on its origin or age would be great too! Thanks
blowing up photo #2, it showing the works. I can't say for certain, but appears the "hair spring" is sticking out of the top, yikes. I would be guessing, but that would be my guess as to the malfunction . Not sure if that's the location of the anchor, but stands to reason.
Kerry good call on that I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. Have any idea who made it or its age? And thanks for bringing that to my attention. Can it be fixed?
It can be fixed and I'd be approx. dating this, Bruce 99 should be along anytime now, he will surely date and model it for you. My dating would say around 1890's-19 teens
You will need to hang the pendulum bob (usually a small round weight with a metal loop on it) on the narrow grey metal rod with the U-shaped 'hook' that is hanging down just below the movement. You will have to wind the springs sooner or later, so now would be a good time. It appears that one spring is wound up and the other could use a little bit of a wind. If you don't have the pendulum bob, maybe it's laying around the bottom interior base of the clock case? If not, you will need to get a replacement. Does the dial indicate who the maker is? Small print down at the bottom of the dial. I didn't see anything imprinted on the movement. Remember for a clock to run smoothly, it must be on a level shelf. It's a pretty clock!
I should have added, should be an easy fix and a cleaning and service of this would have it running and tip-top shape.
Oops, take that all back because I 'think' I see the pendulum bob loop hanging there! As far as a guess is concerned as to maker, could be Sessions or possibly Ingraham. When I've had a stubborn and usually kinda dirty clock movement unwilling to run, I oil the pivots / bushings. I've many stubborn clocks and got them jump started with a tooth pick of clock oil. The movement will need to be cleaned for optimal performance.
Tutzie, sorry didn't think about you and the ID, you haven't soaked into my brain registry yet lol.
Tutzie I have looked at it every where and cannot find a mark any where. It does resemble Wiliam Gilberts work but he marked all of his I believe. I would have to take to a a repair shop and I found out there is one locally just a few minutes ago. Great to know it can be repaired. I did see a similar Ingraham that is almost identical but only has one pillar instead of 3 on each side. Did they mark all of theirs? I so much appreciate all the help! Thank you!
No question that not every maker stamps the movement all the time. I brought a clock into my clock guy's shop in SF. I said, what the heck is this? He responded, it's New Haven. He just knows and it's not always the case/model. I just rely on him way too much. btw, I ALWAYS remove the clock movement from the case before taking it in. You can bring the case with you if you want to show it the clock guy. Then the clock guy can examine the movement in its entirety and give you a pretty solid ESTIMATE for cleaning or any small repairs. I've been going to Dorian for about 16 years and before that, a couple of clock shops that kinda (really) took advantage of me $$ . Get a flashlight if needed and your screwdriver and remove the mounting screws from the four 'corners'. But first, take the hands off the dial before taking the movement out :)
Kerry, I don't even think about myself (re: clocks) most of the time. I couldn't kick the heroin addiction, so I decided to collect clocks instead and got addicted to that. Just kidding about the heroin, but the clock addiction is for real.
Thanks for the tip Tutzie! I appreciate all your help
Along with Sessions, could also be an earlier E.N. Welch
Yes I see that now. You are very helpful Tutzie thank you so much for the info.
and where the %*#@ is Bruce99!? Need help here!
Hi there antiquelady. It looks like you have an Ingraham Black Enameled Mantel Clock. I don't see this particular model in any of my reference materials but it most closely resembles a model that was made circa 1918. My guess would be that your clock was manufactured sometime around 1915 give or take 5 years.
Ingraham clocks are the only antique clocks that I know of which had the thumb-wheel regulator. That would be the slot below the "12" in the brass center of your dial. Turning the disk to the right slows the movement down while turning it to the left speeds the movement up. There should be a "F" and "S" near the slow indicating directions for Faster and Slower. The small spring that Kerry spotted is most likely a gravity assist spring. It typically is used in the strike train and shouldn't be "sprung" like that. As Tutzie has mentioned, there should be a pendulum weight (or "bob") which hangs on the pendulum rod's hook. Many Ingraham Movements from this era have their pendulum rods on the front of the movement. It looks like there is an opening in the bottom of the case. If there is an opening, it is there to make it easier for you to hang the pendulum weight and to gently put the weight in motion. If it is an Ingraham, the name will probably be stamped on the front plate. Hope that helps.
"near the slow indicating" *should* read "near the slot indicating"
Bruce99 you are awesome! I looked through jewelers loupe and it does have the s and f just as you said. There is a whole on the bottom and the pendulum seems to be missing. Thank you so much for all the information. Now one more question if I might? Is it worth me to find a pendulum if I can and to have it fixed or should I not worry about fixing it because its to costly? Now working does it drop my collector value that much? Thanks again for the help and thanks Tutzie for calling on him to help. I do appreciate your time!
I was sure Bruce would be along to help, he's a good ole boy and has a lot of knoweledge
Hi antiquelady, you can get a little round Ingraham pendulum bob on Ebay anywhere from $5-$10 depending upon whether it's a reproduction weight or a vintage old weight. They weigh under 2 ounces. Personally, I wouldn't bother hunting for an old Ingraham pendulum bob. Just do a buy-it-now on a $8 or thereabouts weight that has free shipping.
Thanks for the kind comments Kerry but I'm just trying to keep up with you and Tutzie! :)
Antiquelady:
In good working condition clocks like this usually sell on eBay for somewhere around $150, +/-$50. That's just a *very* rough guesstimate. Personally, I think that an antique clock should be working, but I'm a collector. Repair and maintenance can be costly.
Some folks tend to overlook repair and maintenance as a significant part of the costs of owning and operating these antique mechanical clocks. While repair might improve or restore some of the value of the clock, maintenance literally just maintains it. In any case, anyone doing that kind of work for a living can't afford to do it for free.
To answer your question, it just depends on what the clock is worth to you. If you are looking at the clock as an investment, you'd probably be better off selling it "as is".
As Tutzie has mentioned, a pendulum bob shouldn't be that expensive. The Ingraham bobs usually have a large "I" on both sides, but there were different styles. Some ornate, others plain. The "I" pendulum should work. The original bob and winding keys for these clocks are often lost, so replacements aren't that big a deal. I agree that you shouldn't worry about getting a salvaged antique bob. Modern reproductions are readily available for a lot less.
Good luck with the clock and your collections and thanks for sharing with us.
Wonderful thank you for all your help. I appreciate your time to do this. Hope to talk with you again someday. Take care. ?