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Posted 17 months, 20 days ago
DLW
(1 item)
My son was asked to dispose of this by a his best friends mother since it is so very heavy she couldn't lift it easily. She inherited it from her mother. He thought given its weight it could be worth saving. I am inclined to agree. I know nothing about clocks other than recognizing names such as Seth Thomas. I took the bottom off to see what was rattling about inside and to look for a label. It was the pendulum which to be honest, I just hung in the most obvious location. I can read S Thomas, Thomaston CT USA and there is another marking above that. The 'street' side is in good shape, in my opinion anyway. I am trying to decide if I should spend the cash and attempt to make it work as I have no idea if I put the pendulum in the right place and more to the point, it looks like the hammer thing has some corrosion. I inserted the key into all three of the face holes and met resistance so I did not proceed with trying to wind it. When I picked it up the pendulum swung it and ticked for a bit and even chimed and it sounded great. I also understand why this woman waited for my son to move it, it is quite heavy. How does one go about finding worthy clock repairer anyway?
I hope this helps with some info. Great looking mantle clock. Check BBB for reputable clock repair.
http://www.clockworks.com/seth.html
Thank you, I will check it out.
Hi, beautiful clock, smart boy! Try Antiqueclockspriceguide.com. Might give you some insight on the worth of the clock and if it's worth repairing. Regardless of it's worth, if it were mine I would just have it done because it's so beautiful! Don't have it restored though on a chance it could ruin the value of the piece. Is it cast iron? See if a magnet will stick to it anywhere, if it does then it's cast iron. You're lucky to have the key, most of the time they're lost. I can't believe she wanted to throw away her mothers clock!!!
First ... Thank you for saving it.
Pendulum looks to be in backwards. If so, it will not run. As you said you met resistance when trying to wind, that is normal. If it took too much force to wind, that is not good. Did you try turning the key the other way? Again, not with much force.
Make sure the clock is setting on a level spot. Place a small level on the top of the clock to check it, both directions. Otherwise it will not remain running.
If the clock will not wind, either direction, then correct the pendulum's direction and then just give it a slight sideways push. Some times these get over wound. When it stops, push it again. If it is over wound, this will release some of the tension and it will begin operating on its own. After it has run a little, with your aid, or on its own, you can retry the key.
One wind spot is to wind the clock mech. and the other the hammer mech.
To clean the hammer, fine brass bristle brush can be used to clean it a little.
Please let us know your results on these suggestions.
ONLY try winding the two larger key winds ...
This is a Seth Thomas Iron Mantel Clock with the rare (for Seth Thomas) open escapement. Seth Thomas manufactured these clocks and named them in a series of 600, "Iron No 601" for example. I can't find an exact match for this model number but these clocks were manufactured in the 1880's with an average appraised value of $400-$500 (in 2005). Yours is ornate and may be worth more. Beautiful clock! I would definitely clean it up and have the movement overhauled.