I'm thinking of buying this clock....

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hi, all.

I saw this clock today in a consignment shop, and really like it. They're asking $600 for it, but I'm hoping I can offer them less and they'll take it.

Was wondering if anyone here recognizes what kind it is. Sorry, I couldn't take a shot of the interior back plate.... The back of the case does not open, so the only way to see the plate would be to take the weights & pendulum off and slide the movement out (and it was fixed in place by two wood-screws), and I figured that was a bit more than I should expect the clerk to allow me to do (at least until I come in with some serious money).

For the time being, I took the photos below and have sent them to a couple of clock-friends by email. While I'm awaiting their reply, I thought I might post them here and try to gain a little experience using this message board.

I'm curious about the center weight. I've seen some older clocks which often have an "odd" weight which doesn't match the other(s), but I'm not sure if that's what's happening here. I'm wondering if they've merely lost the brass cover which goes over the weight?

Oh, the glass of the clock appears to be original, as it has small bubbles and faults in it. The glass in front of the face is also convex.

Thanks in advance if anyone knows about this type of clock.
John

[haneyk]

You forgot the pics...

[Spaceman Spiff]

You forgot the pics...


No, they were still loading....

[Scottie-TX]

Looks like it may be a fairly recent production and perhaps even, of Asian mfr.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Looks like it may be a fairly recent production and perhaps even, of Asian mfr.

Seriously?? Interesting.

I had the impression it was from the early-mid 1900's, and most likely German.

Thanks for the comment.
John

[Ralph]

I would call it German and put it around the '20's.... 1920's

Ralph

[leeinv66]

Looks like it may be a fairly recent production and perhaps even, of Asian mfr.

The hands are replacements, but I think it is German. Probably from around 1930-35.

[Ralph B]

I"m not so sure Scottie's wrong.

That carving makes me a little uneasy, doesn't look old German to me......

Ralph B.

[Eckmill]

The case and movement just don't go together in my opinion.

The carved figure in the glass panel gives rise to Scottie's comment about being of asian handy work and not Black Forest craft. And, are those screws holding the odd upper door hinges phillip's head (+'s)?

Too, the tendon on the left seat board appears to be re-work.

Although the movement is probably a good German three train movement of the post WWI period, finding a matching middle weight shell is going to be a challenge.

Those issues are things that say, "don't" in my opinion.

John, what are the features of this clock that meet your eye?

[John Hubby]

John, this definitely appears to be a marriage . . old movement, relatively new case. The middle weight originally would have been exactly like the other two, what is there is a replacement. Three-weight clocks "almost always" have glass in the door that will be wide enough to show all three weights. I agree with Lee that the hands are not original.

If you could get a look at the back of the movement that will add a lot to the story . . look for logos, serial numbers, etc. Also, if there is anything written on the rod gong mounts that will also help. This dial, pendulum, and weight combination could have been made about any time from around 1908 to 1928, but the backplate info would let us tie it down closer than that. FWIW, I've just looked at photos of a Kienzle G/F that has the same dial, weight, and pendulum design.

John Hubby
>>>>

[Tom McIntyre]

I have friends with one of these that was imported by a GI relative who was stationed in Germany in the 1970's. Theirs is essentially the same as the large number of bim bam box clocks except it is in a tall case.

If anyone has opinions on what these are worth, I would appreciate an offline contact. I used to buy the box clocks for $35 when I first got involved with horology back in the 1960's in Canada.

[Scottie-TX]

I saw what you saw, ECK. Now I didn't notice Phillips heads but did note hinges look new and also saw that tenon work on the seatboard. I'm going with others here - a marriage of a 20s/30/s movement to a recent Asian case.

[leeinv66]

I saw what you saw, ECK. Now I didn't notice Phillips heads but did note hinges look new and also saw that tenon work on the seatboard. I'm going with others here - a marriage of a 20s/30/s movement to a recent Asian case.

I see the new bits & pieces and can see why you guys think it is a marriage. But, I think what we are seeing is poor repair work. I have no proof to back me up, only the knowledge that I have see a couple of cases down here that had the same "Home Made" look. Right down to the strange choice of glass proportion and rustic carving. However, marriage or not, I am sure it wouldn't be hard to find a more attractive clock for less than the asking price for this one. IMHO???

[specop]

John,
Given the many doubts expressed by the experts, with which I concur, you may wish to
re-think about buying this clock. There are many, many longcase clocks of both American
and British origin which are readily available and would have a far better pedigree than this one.

Specop

[Spaceman Spiff]

Wow, thanks, everyone!

You all have been VERY helpful. Man, this site is fantastic to be able to receive such great advice. You can tell I'm a newbie to the site based on how few posts I've had (although I initially joined a couple years ago but didn't follow up), and I can't reiterate enough how much I appreciate everyone's comments.

I'm leaning away from getting the clock at this point. (It was going to be difficult enough already to even find a spot for it in my house!) But I may still go back to the store in the next few days and see how receptive they'd be to letting me photograph the rear plate, just for the curiosity of seeing what other clues are there. If I do so, I'll try to get better shots of the woodwork joints, screws, hinges, etc as well.

(This just in: I just re-looked at my original photos in their full size--before the forum shrunk them to the size in my earlier post--and I can see that the screws in the door hinges are flathead standard screws, not Phillips head. They're a little rusty, too).

Thanks again!
John
P.S. One member asked what it was about this clock that caught my eye. I think it was the combination of the brass face, dark wood without fancy ornate carvings (other than the little dude in the door), thus giving an initial impression of being quite a bit older than my other two grandfather clocks (which are both Ridgeways from around the 1970's / 1980's). I'd like to have a nice older tall-case / grandfather clock.

[Scottie-TX]

I believe often, many of us, myself included - regard certain things like decorations, damascening, intricate carving, etc. - endemic to an age long past. Alas and fortunately - There are, today, still many people who can carve and create art, etc., very similar to those who did it ages ago.

[Ralph]

I think the case is period... bad art? ..maybe "machine age" .

Ralph

[chimeclockfan]

That figure could have been placed there AFTER the clock was completed. Looks like a DUFA clock mechanism to me. Any pictures of the inside?

Maybe it's not the original case? Or, if it was, maybe it was for the Foreign market? :?| :?|