Posted 9 years ago
Kydur
(103 items)
Cuckoo clocks aren't really my thing, but when I saw this at a yard sale and haggled the guy down to $5 I figured I could use the clockwork for some other project.
But then I got thinking that there might actually be some value in this clock for those who like them and that I ought to take my own advice by not destroying a perfectly good item to turn it into something else.
It's an amazing clock for those who love 'em. It's got a spinning waterwheel, a couple of animated guys sawing wood and another chopping wood. It also has the obligatory cuckoo. One of the internal "cuckoo" bellows needs repair - so there's only a 'coo' and no 'cook'. It has a music box (I don't recognize the tune) and the clockwork is in great condition and it keeps accurate time. It's missing one of the three pine cone weights - no doubt used for target practice to hurl at this contraption when it lets loose its assault of sound and sight every hour!
Most of the doo-dads on the front of the clock are made of mold-injected plastic, and the figures and waterwheel look they they may be hand-painted.
The removable panel on the back of the clock is stamped "6-76 West Germany"; does this imply a manufacturer date of June, 1976? The plywood construction suggests that it really isn't very old.
The clockwork has a lot of marks on it: G.M. 1884288, 1892176 (patent numbers?); the name "E. Schmeckenbecher"; 25-76 (another date?); Made in West Germany; and a logo at the very bottom with a pine tree and the word "REGULA".
There are some clocks on this site (http://antiquecuckooclock.net/) that look to be the same style and vintage as the one I have, at wowser prices, but I don't know whether my clock is one of them or just some cheap reproduction mass-produced models at a later time (like in the 1970s).
I've come very close to taking this clock apart many times but am glad I've now waited until consulting with some of the experts I've met on this site! What do you think: treasure or junk?
http://www.frankenmuthclock.com/partscuckoo.htm#bellows looks to be a decent site to get replacement parts,..bellows n bellows parts,..there are also some videos on you tube on how to re-paper the bellows using that rip proof stuff they make express mail envelopes out of,..know they aren't your bag but its a cool piece,..not a huge fan of em myself but you get a couple of em going off they get a lil addictive hehehe if you realy want to get rid of it for parts id hit some clock shops and ask if they will trade it for some busted movements and a pile o misc gears,..might be able to get a boatload of scraps for a working clock
that site also sells replacement weights,..is it a one day or 8 day clock?
one like it sold on ebay for a decent chunk o money so dont bust it up http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Forest-Wood-Chopper-Waterwheel-Cuckoo-Clock-/170631078803
Holy cuckoo! Doesn't that just beat all... I don't get how a 32-38 year-old "novelty" clock could be worth more than some of the 100+ year-old classic clocks I have!
Thanks so much Shawnicus for doing this bit of research for me and especially tracking down the identical clock on eBay. Great sleuthing!
I'll look into self-repairing the bellows, buying a new pine cone weight and selling this little birdy to someone who appreciates it. I also like your idea of taking it to a clock shop to see what I can barter for.
It's been awhile since I've yanked the chains to raise the cones on this thing, but if memory serves I think it only ran for a one day before the weights got so close to the floor that the cats started thinking they were something to play with.
$265... I never would've thunk it!
Cuckoos are not my cup of tea but one has to appreciate a piece for what it is. Glad you didn't tear it apart for parts. I like to repair and restore antique clocks so Steampunk "art" made from antique clock parts really gets me steamed. :(
Just saying....
Bruce, same here, as I said much the same thing in my Bio! This cuckoo clock isn't an antique, though - unless the late 1970s and early 1980s is considered antique. For me "antique" means at least 100 years old; "vintage" at around 50 years old.
"Vintage" can be used in the place of "circa (or about)" when followed by a decade or year, for example "vintage 1990's", vintage 1960's, etc." - example definition from dictionary: a : a period of origin or manufacture <a piano of 1845 vintage>
Yup, and "antique" can be used to describe a paint finish, or the process of producing one... ain't the English language grand?!
I certainly wasn't accusing you of molesting antiques for art projects Kydur. There are different "definitions" of antique clocks but generally speaking something a century old qualifies. In the market is where you have to beware...I agree with aghcollect, without a year "vintage" really means nothing. It's probably just best to know the approximate year of manufacture...no fudging there. The owner can call it whatever he or she wants.
There's an interesting article and even more interesting ongoing discussion on the subject (and definitions) of Antique vs. Vintage vs. Retro:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/age-defining-an-130615
As commenters on the article pointed out, it should be mandatory reading for anyone selling stuff online.
Yeah, just give me the date of manufacture! Maybe I'll call it mine, maybe not... :)
Gotta say again -- Nothing better than to see these old Cuckoo Clocks !!!!!
Salve, ho un orologio a cucù con una macchina che riporta le seguenti sigle "GM 1884288 - 1892176 che ha bisogno di assistenza, in quanto si è rovinato l'ingranaggio dove scorre la catena per il funzionamento. Mi potete suggerire dove posso farlo riparare. Grazie, Salvatore 1952