Clocks with nails

[mlempenau]

I'm trying to date my clock. When did clocks with glass stop holding in the glass with nails? This clock is amazing. It keeps perfect time.

 

[Mike Phelan]

Early 20th C?

 

[Tim Orr]

Good afternoon!

Others probably know more than I do, but I would guess that the glass has been replaced, perhaps as a result of breakage. It is difficult for me to imagine a careful worker or designer using plain nails to hold in place a large piece of glass. What I think is much more likely is that either putty was used (you should probably be able to find remnants of that), as is often the case in window glass panes, or that a flexible strip of wood or some other material was formed around the inside of the glass, then secured in place by nails. Such nails would not have been finishing nails, but nails with heads on them.

Using nails – even finishing nails – to directly hold in glass seems to me like bad practice. Also, the edge of your glass, especially on the right of the photo, shows evidence that it was cut and fitted by a somewhat inexperienced worker. A nice piece of flexible wood strip or of caulk would conceal those irregularities.

Accordingly, I wouldn't feel comfortable using the nails as a gauge of age. Pictures of the works might elicit better ideas. Meanwhile, it is very good to hear that your clock is such a good timekeeper.

Is the wood solid or veneer? Older clocks almost always used veneer to save money. What is the size of the winding squares? They look rather large. How long does the clock run between windings?

Best regards!

Tim Orr

 

[mlempenau]

I see no veneer. All wood seems to be solid. About 3/8". The winding squares are 1/8". It is a seven day clock. The timing spring has lost some of it's spring. It now lasts about 6 days. The chime spring still seems to be good altho I wind the two together. Since the clock is running so good right now I don't want to mess with it. Maybe the hinge and door latch might give an indication of age. I have attached pics.

 

[Willie X]

Springs are rarely the issue. You clock is probably about 40 years past due for a take apart service/overhaul. Willie X

 

[Levi Hutchins]

I'm trying to date my clock...

The cabinet style is Henri II, popular in the latter part of the 19th century.

 

[new2clocks]

Welcome to the forum.

We may be able to date your clock if you show us a picture of the back of the movement (or "works" as Tim said).

Otherwise, we are just providing guesses.

Regards.

 

[mlempenau]

Willie X: Your comment is well taken. I will be considering my next move.

I'm not excited about taking the movement out to take a pic. Maybe after Christmas I will be more open to it. Right now I think it's probably around 100 years old. It continues to amaze me at how accurate it is. It veries between 15 sec fast and 15 sec slow. Right now for the last few days it has been 5 sec fast.