Posted 6 years ago
Tiggywinkl…
(2 items)
My mother bought this in the mid-60s from a n elderly neighbor for $1. Yes, $1! It's been pretty reliable all these years and through several moves. It started losing time after the last move in 2017 so I called a clock repairman who insisted that Gilbert never made grandfather clocks, until he saw this one and confirmed it. Does anyone have any idea how old this is? I'm guessing late 1800s or early 1900s from the style but the clockman thinks the works are older than the case.
In one of my books it gives the chronological history of the William L Gilbert Clock Company which started in 1828 when George Marsh & William L. Gilbert bought a clock shop & formed Marsh, Gilbert & Company. Many changes took place over the years, but dropping down to:
1871-1934: The William L. Gilbert Clock Company was formed in 1871 and remained active for these sixty-one years in Winsted, Connecticut.
In 1890, William Lewis Gilbert died.
In, 1934 t0 1957 it became William L. Gilbert Clock Corporation.
So it looks like your clock would fall between 1871-1934. That is the best on a date I can offer you. Someone else might be able to pin it down to specific date for you.
Dave
Thank you, Dave! That's more info than I've ever had. The face has a badge from "Colonial Mtg. Co., Zeeland, Michigan, USA" so there was either some business affiation or the works have been remounted. More research to do!
Bobbie
Bobbie, here is some information on the Colonial Manufacturing Co.
http://docs.nawcc.org/Bulletins/2010/articles/2014/407/407_34_46.pdf
Hi Bobbie,
I was wondering if you found out any more info on your clock? I have the identical movement by Gilbert, also the clock face, although ours is square. It also says Colonial Manufacturing, but our case is different. I'm in the process of getting it working again, but was wanting some more info on it and nobody seems to be able to tell me anything, Also, I've never seen another cabinet that looks like mine & I've searched and searched images on the internet to no avail.
Hi, Bob. I haven't found anything else on my clock, either and also have never seen a case like mine. Does your face have the Colonial label as well?
Hi Bobbie,
Yes, my clock face is identical to yours, although it's square. The numerals & label look just like yours. I tried to attach a photo, but it won't let me!