French clock is it brass bronze ormulu or spelter?

[stewart]

Hello

I just picked up this french clock (count wheel movement). It was in rough shape. The case pieces (see photos) are cast brass or bronze? It appears to have a finish of some sort on it, not clear laquer but like gold paint? If I polish it, it shows differently than where it was not polished even though the shine is bright in both areas. It was so badly corroded I soaked the parts in a gallon of white vinegar. It came out ok. My question is this, I'd love it to shine like the movements I clean in ammonia, oleic acid and acetone. Do you think I can put these parts in such?

The castings have a letter "A" and "M" on them (see photo) does this mean anything to anyone?

Being countwheel and French does that help anyone date it?

I have 4 photos but it seems I can only attach one at a time? Help!

Thanks Stewart

[stewart]

Hello

I just picked up this french clock (count wheel movement). It was in rough shape. The case pieces (see photos) are cast brass or bronze? It appears to have a finish of some sort on it, not clear laquer but like gold paint? If I polish it, it shows differently than where it was not polished even though the shine is bright in both areas. It was so badly corroded I soaked the parts in a gallon of white vinegar. It came out ok. My question is this, I'd love it to shine like the movements I clean in ammonia, oleic acid and acetone. Do you think I can put these parts in such?

The castings have a letter "A" and "M" on them (see photo) does this mean anything to anyone?

Being countwheel and French does that help anyone date it?

I have 4 photos but it seems I can only attach one at a time? Help!

Thanks Stewart

[Joe Collins]

Stewart,
To post additional photos just reply to your message as many times as necessary. Also if you size the pictures for a 2 inch width they will display as a full screen.

Joe

[stewart]

another photo

[stewart]

photo

[stewart]

more photo

[timewaster]

Hi Stewart, it looks like Ormulu to me. I used to use cyanide to clean it but it's not a safe chemical to use. The ammonia, will work but will take a little elbo greese and more time.

[joeZy]

Stewart,
To get more information on ormolu (note spelling) just type in "ormolu" into a google search. You'll probably get more than you wanted to know.

If a part came out looking like brass after soaking in a ammoniated cleaner then it may very well be brass (or bronze). The cleaner would eat up the ormolu finish. It would leave a copper finish.
A small file mark in an obscure place will tell you if you have spelter -- you'll see the white metal if its spelter.
joeZy

[stewart]

Thank you all.

JoeZy if the ormolu is real gold and not the more modern copper based alloy, is it then possible that an ammoniated solution will not remove it as described by robert above.

Stewart

[Scottie-TX]

Man I wish you guys would stop cussin' . Ya know there's rules aroun' here.

[joeZy]

Stewart,
"if the ormolu is real gold and not the more modern copper based alloy, is it then possible that an ammoniated solution will not remove it as described by robert above."

You maybe right but I have no experience. I stay in the 'low rent' district with the ormolu. :smile:
joeZy

[stewart]

Hello joeZy

I didn't mean to be so uptown. I stumbled on this clock. My favorite kind of clock is a broken one!

Stewart

[Scottie-TX]

Wull Stewart ya really wouldn't stumble on your clocks if you took 'em off the floor! Heckuva place to store clocks. Now "Broken Clock" : Not familiar with that Mfr. Do you have a picture of that? 1000 words ya know.

[Mike Phelan]

Originally posted by Scottie-TX:
Now "Broken Clock" : Not familiar with that Mfr. Do you have a picture of that? 1000 words ya know. [HR][HR]
:biggrin:And a model number and Tran Duy Ly reference? :biggrin: