Clues to dating a clock

[bkerr]

This weekend I made some time to get after a project that frankly, has been on the list for two years. Some time ago I purchased a single weight Vienna regulator. After a complete overhaul yesterday I checked this morning and the clock is running fine.

I think I have an idea to this question but, I'd like to bounce it off of those with more knowledge on this than I.

How old is it?

1st clue - pinned movement ( front plate pinned )
2nd clue - porcelin dial ( also pinned )
3rd clue - has worm holes in the case
4th clue - anchor escapement
5th clue - very wavie glass


I'll post some pics of it when I get home tonight.
BTW - No markings that I could see anywhere.

I am guessing 1880's ?

 

[harold bain]

The case style would be a better clue to age than the movement description. But even then, it would probably still have a 30-50 year window of possibility.

 

[bkerr]

Harold, I'll get a pic on tonight. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[bkerr]

Getting late but as promised:

 

[harold bain]

I would call it a Transitional style, from around 1870. Nice case

 

[Kim St.Dennis Sr.]

The clock is from the Transitional Style period that ran from 1850 to around 1865. To get a better idea of the age of your clock, we need to see the movement and how it is attached to the case. More photos would be good.

The most we can say, right now, is your clock is it is from 3rd or 4th Quarter of the 19th Century, in the Transitional Style and possibly Austrian.

 

[bkerr]

Thanks for the information.

I am having an issue with the hands on this one. Too tight and the clock locks up, too loose and the minute hand drops to the 6 position.

As much as I did not want to tear into again I'll do that and get pics at the same time.

It does have an interesting mount for the movement that I'll get pics of.

Thanks again!

 

[Scottie-TX]

It has a diamond shaped, arched spring beneath the minute cannon that compresses and tensions the minute hand to the centershaft. If when you compress, friction results between hour tube and minute hand - you lack clearance between the minute hand and hour tube. You may need to put a small spacer beneath the minute hand and a thinner one above.
I'll reiterate others: Transitional - 1850 to 1870. Knowing that it has a solid anchor with unadjustable pallets will only support our opinion of age. It has that. The mount is one with four keyholes in the rear. It is often called a bayonet mount. Some believe the type of mount relates to the region it was made. I can't confirm that.
"4. Anchor Escapement"
A better name for this would be, "Deadbeat Escapement" altho the pallet body is often called an anchor, anchor escapements more aptly describe those used on skeleton clocks and others. They are recoil.

 

[Scottie-TX]

When you get time, perhaps you could also post your pix here:VIENNA CLOCKS
Yours would be a welcome addition - THANKS!

 

[bkerr]

Thanks for the information and observation Scottie!

Here are some pics from tonight. I think I got the hand tension issue resolved.
-> posts merged by system <-
Opps, better add pics. I have quite a few more if you care to see.
-> posts merged by system <-
Thought you might like to see the dial as well. I really like the hands. You can see the tooling marks on the back side.

 

[Scottie-TX]

Hmmmmm; Okay - so a seatboard mount. I thot we'd see a bayonet mount. Seatboard needs to have a tight fit to the supports or you'll get it out of beat ever' time you wind it. You'll wanna replace that ribbon asaf. Looks pretty groady. I believe the ribbon's post mount is upside down. You'll want that flatted cutout on top where it can restrain the top block.
More pix? BRING 'EM ON!

 

[bkerr]

Scottie do you mean the suspension spring?
The seat board fits tight but the bracket could be improved. It is mortised into the back board and there is some movement. When everything is back together in the case the dial tilts down about five degrees. I am thinking of gluing the brackets up before final assembly this time.

More pics, okay.

The first one is a shot before I took it off the wall last night

Next, this is the mounting bracket to the wall.

This is what I called the bracket, mortised into the back board

Now this is cool, can hardly see with my old eyes but with the zoom, zoom on the camera it appears to be German. I think it was used to seal the back? Maybe instructions to change the battery?

Last one is the pendlumn hanger.

So far everything looks original to my untrained eye.

Thanks for the comments

 

[Scottie-TX]

Yes; All looks original to me also with one exception. The hands are nice but do not match. Hour hand is more typical. Minute hand is in question - should match hour hand in design.
Interesting: I've also seen that tape border on the back a time or 3.
Yep; I meant the suspension spring. Looks pretty rough. If you're okay with it - fine. I wouldn't be having a romance with it's originality. I'd replace it. The suspension post it hangs from is upside down.
OKAY! That bracket. The one used to hang it? Not the movement mount? That is the type bracket I've seen on ALL viennas.
Seatboard support brackets? Indeed, secure them with fresh glue.
Carry on matey!

 

[bkerr]

Scottie, not knowing the difference between what it is and what it should be, what am I missing? (suspension spring)

What is it supposed to look like?

The spring did have a twist that I took out with a pair of tweezers. Seems ok now.

So are you still on for 1850 - 1865?
Orginal (except for possibly the suspension spring)?

Thanks again for your comments. That's what I like about this board. I learn something new almost everyday!

 

[Scottie-TX]

No. You're not missing anything. Suspension spring is there, perhaps original and looks proper. I just mentioned it's condition - that it looks rough but if it's working and safe, it'll be just fine.