Bells, gongs and chimes - what goes where?

[LarryAC]

I recently restored this, what I think to be, Ansonia Africa clock. The clock was incomplete and in pieces when I bought it. With the help of folks here, I concluded the movement was not original, in part because while there is an alarm wheel on the movement, someone hacked it up to fit but it doesn't do anything - there is no lever for triggering the alarm. Also, the double barrel (mercury?) pendulum that came with the clock would not work with the movement that came with the clock. To try to get the clock at least closer to original, I found an Ansonia Kitchen clock movement with the alarm lever and dial, restored it and have it ready to install. The old pendulum works perfectly and keeps perfect time with this movement.

However, the clock came with only the bell that I think is supposed to work with the alarm mechanism - it's very annoyingly alarm-sounding and I can't believe it was also the gong. I found an old Ansonia spiral wire gong but it might not be the correct size for this clock. In any case, I now have a set of gong, bell, alarm mechanism and alarm trigger. but I have no idea how these should be placed in the case, particularly since some or many of these components might not be true to the original configuration. Does anyone have any idea how these clocks were set up to fit a gong, a bell and an alarm mechanism/movement?

For reference, the first photo is the clock with the movement as I acquired it. the second is after my case/movement restoration with the replacement pendulum. The third is of the gong, bell and alarm mechanism that I have (mechanism and bell came with the clock), and the fourth is of the "new" Ansonia Kitchen movement.

 

[roughbarked]

The gong is struck by the clock and the bell is struck by the alarm movement. Is that the answer you wanted?

 

[LarryAC]

Not entirely, but I appreciate the tip. I don't have a reference as to where the gong and bell were located in the case. I've seen lot's of photos of Ansonia kitchen clocks, but very few of the the open case.

A more sublte issue is whether the bell is screwed directly to the case or needs to be on a standoff. I've also seen them cup-in and cup-out. I'd like to get the clock as close to original as practical.

 

[roughbarked]

The screw holes with nothing in them on the clock you acquired, is where the gong would normally sit.
The bell should be mounted off the board with some kind of stand. Usually with the convex side facing the viewer.

 

[Ken X]

Does this help, Ansonia Kirkwood with alarm
Sorry, in a rush to get out

 

[LarryAC]

Ken, thanks. That's what I was looking for. Is the alarm bell screwed directly to the case or is there a washer or standoff behind it?

There were probably 20+ holes in the case, not counting the holes for the main movement, where things had been re positioned over the years.

 

[Ken X]

Just checked (coz I can't remember) and the alarm bell on mine is screwed directly to the case. Whether this is how it should be is another question, but there was no evidence of any washer.

Its a noisy beast so best only give it a turn or two when testing. I wound mine up fully and let it fly when I got mine going.

OC Domestic was not happy.