Davall Lantern clock, well case

[novicetimekeeper]

I just bought this case, I would like to find a movement for it. I grew up in a house with one of the Smiths battery lantern clocks so it was part of my youth. I thought this was a bit of fun.

I don't have it yet but have permission to use the pictures. I think the Davall was a platform escapent. I was originally thinking single handed but later noticed there are 5 divisions to the hour so it should be two hands. Now where do I find a suitable movement?

 

[jmclaugh]

Nick, Davall fitted their Tower movement to these clocks, both a platform and pendulum version were available, it was a timepiece with a passing strike on the hour. The first one they made was the Coronation lantern clock originally to commemorate the accession of Edward VIII but upon his abdication it was then for George VI in 1937. That one has 4 divisions to the hours with half hour markers and two hands so unlikely they ever produced single handed ones.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Nick, Davall fitted their Tower movement to these clocks, both a platform and pendulum version were available, it was a timepiece with a passing strike on the hour. The first one they made was the Coronation lantern clock originally to commemorate the accession of Edward VIII but upon his abdication it was then for George VI in 1937. That one has 4 divisions to the hours with half hour markers and two hands so unlikely they ever produced single handed ones.

This one has 5 divisions. Did the passing strike work on a bell internally? There is no hole in the top plate here to access the bell.

I was anticipating a platform escapement, I don't have it yet. It seems to have holes in the base to mount the movement, but I did see a davall movement for sale that was a pendulum movement held on by straps. I can only see that working in this case if they pick up the screws that mount the chapter ring.

As this was so cheap I'm going to dismantle and clean all the polish residue off and then have a go at my first resilvering with the chapter ring I think. I'd like to refit a mechanical movement, I was thinking from a miniature carriage clock if I can find one but I'm open to suggestions. It is a very good quality case so I thought worth rescuing.

 

[jmclaugh]

This one has 5 divisions. Did the passing strike work on a bell internally? There is no hole in the top plate here to access the bell.

I was anticipating a platform escapement, I don't have it yet. It seems to have holes in the base to mount the movement, but I did see a davall movement for sale that was a pendulum movement held on by straps. I can only see that working in this case if they pick up the screws that mount the chapter ring.

As this was so cheap I'm going to dismantle and clean all the polish residue off and then have a go at my first resilvering with the chapter ring I think. I'd like to refit a mechanical movement, I was thinking from a miniature carriage clock if I can find one but I'm open to suggestions. It is a very good quality case so I thought worth rescuing.

The illustration I've seen indicates the bell is struck internally. The Tower movement included timepieces, stirkers and chimmers in a variety of cases so how it was mounted in cases no doubt varied but of the Davall movements I've seen it seems they used lugs mounted to the front plate's pillar nuts. Dimensions of the plates, which are solid and rectangular, apparently also used in the lantern clock are 114mm H, 95mm W, 1.6mm thick and 36.5mm apart with the backplate normally stamped Made in Clerkenwell or Made in England. The pendulum version used a cylindrical bob while the platform version was mounted vertically on the backplate.

Good luck with restoring it and finding a movement.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

The illustration I've seen indicates the bell is struck internally. The Tower movement included timepieces, stirkers and chimmers in a variety of cases so how it was mounted in cases no doubt varied but of the Davall movements I've seen it seems they used lugs mounted to the front plate's pillar nuts. Dimensions of the plates, which are solid and rectangular, apparently also used in the lantern clock are 114mm H, 95mm W, 1.6mm thick and 36.5mm apart with the backplate normally stamped Made in Clerkenwell or Made in England. The pendulum version used a cylindrical bob while the platform version was mounted vertically on the backplate.

Good luck with restoring it and finding a movement.

The only movement I've seen by Davall was pendulum and wound from the front. This has no winding hole so was wound from the back which was why I was thinking a vertical platform like a small carriage clock (time only) I have a silver one of those and that has the movement mounted on the bottom of the case too.

I'm in no rush, happy to take my time and use it to practice my silvering initially.

I look forward to the hunt though, and I hope to do it justice. It will be my most modern clock but it reminds me of the one my Dad bought in the seventies while being , hopefully, mechanical.

 

[ClipClock]

I've got a Davall platform type movement but sadly the platform is missing, I got it in a job lot of stuff ages ago. If its any use you're very welcome to it. I reckon it most likely has never been used as its got some sort of protective cover bolted to it (I seem to remember)

 

[novicetimekeeper]

I've got a Davall platform type movement but sadly the platform is missing, I got it in a job lot of stuff ages ago. If its any use you're very welcome to it. I reckon it most likely has never been used as its got some sort of protective cover bolted to it (I seem to remember)

That's exceedingly generous of you. It isn't within my skill to fix it but I know someone who might as he services carriage clocks. If you could let me have the dimensions I'll see if iyt might fit when I get my hands on the case.

 

[ClipClock]

I'll track it down and measure it tomorrow, (and will take a couple of pics for you). Its a shame its missing the platform, its a nice quality movement.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

I'll track it down and measure it tomorrow, (and will take a couple of pics for you). Its a shame its missing the platform, its a nice quality movement.

I used to supply equipment to Davall Moulded Gears, the company that remains from the original Davall Company. I didn't know then they were originally involved in clock manufacture.

Presumably platforms can be replaced if you can find the correct size?

 

[jmclaugh]

Presumably platforms can be replaced if you can find the correct size?

Yes you can still buy them new, Swiss made, but pricey. The other option is to cannibalize one.

 

[ClipClock]

Well under the covers it isn't brand new, but it is in good shape and the wheels spin very sweetly although it needs cleaning. But its time only and I'm not sure if you are after a striking version?

This is how it came in its little protective cover:



And this is what it looks like, the back which was covered is smart, the front less so:



Height (max) is 3"and width 1.75"

I also found I had a 2nd one, not in good condition and missing most of its wheels, but it does have part of the platform including the base, escape and pallets. These seem to be fine, no broken pivots so might prove handy if looking for a new platform.....



Anyway I',happy to send if anything is of use

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Well under the covers it isn't brand new, but it is in good shape and the wheels spin very sweetly although it needs cleaning. But its time only and I'm not sure if you are after a striking version?

This is how it came in its little protective cover:



And this is what it looks like, the back which was covered is smart, the front less so:



Height (max) is 3"and width 1.75"

I also found I had a 2nd one, not in good condition and missing most of its wheels, but it does have part of the platform including the base, escape and pallets. These seem to be fine, no broken pivots so might prove handy if looking for a new platform.....



Anyway I',happy to send if anything is of use

It is in great condition, but it is front wind rather than rear wind, so I would have to drill the dial That might yet be the only real option but I'd like to avoid it if possible.

 

[ClipClock]

It is in great condition, but it is front wind rather than rear wind, so I would have to drill the dial That might yet be the only real option but I'd like to avoid it if possible.

No its rear wind, it would take a screw on key

 

[novicetimekeeper]

No its rear wind, it would take a screw on key

Ah well that's great then, do you have the dimensions of the plates? Hopefully the clock case will turn up this week. The remains of the platform on the otherone will make it easier to work out the size of the missing platform presumably? (all new to me, my clocks usually have weights)

Nick

 

[ClipClock]

Yes the remains of the platform should help, it'll give you the pinion depth and number of leaves etc. The measurements are as per previous post height (max) is 3"and width 1.75" . Depth is a little tricky to measure due sticky out bits (technical term ) but about 1.5" max including said sticky out hex nut things

 

[jmclaugh]

Well under the covers it isn't brand new, but it is in good shape and the wheels spin very sweetly although it needs cleaning. But its time only and I'm not sure if you are after a striking version?

This is how it came in its little protective cover:

Height (max) is 3"and width 1.75"

I also found I had a 2nd one, not in good condition and missing most of its wheels, but it does have part of the platform including the base, escape and pallets. These seem to be fine, no broken pivots so might prove handy if looking for a new platform.....

Anyway I',happy to send if anything is of use

That 8 day movement was of a new design and was introduced by Davall in 1949, being a timepiece it wouldn't be suitable for use in a passing strike lantern clock.. It was only available with a 7 jewel lever platform and was available in front or rear wound. The rear wound version winding arbor had an attached key, the hand setting arbor had an attached knob.

Plate dimensions are 77mm H, 45mm W, 2.1mm thick and 25.4mm apart.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

That 8 day movement was of a new design and was introduced by Davall in 1949, being a timepiece it wouldn't be suitable for use in a passing strike lantern clock.. It was only available with a 7 jewel lever platform and was available in front or rear wound. The rear wound version winding arbor had an attached key, the hand setting arbor had an attached knob.

Plate dimensions are 77mm H, 45mm W, 2.1mm thick and 25.4mm apart.

I'm not sure I've got room in my life for anything else that dings, but I suppose a passing strike is reasonably easy to live with!

 

[ClipClock]

I'm not sure I've got room in my life for anything else that dings, but I suppose a passing strike is reasonably easy to live with!

Ha ha. Oh well I guess it wont do then lol

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Ha ha. Oh well I guess it wont do then lol

If it's on offer I think it would be foolish to turn it down. Fitting it won't involve anything irreversible asnd there is no original movement. If in the future I found the right movement it weould be worth changing it but it doesn't seem tyhat likely to happen.

 

[ClipClock]

Sure, drop me a PM with your address and I'll pop it in the mail to you

 

[tony36crab]

I thought I would just upload these while I have it out. I think this is the movement from the Davall Coronation clock, with the passing strike. I have 2 of these, both in oak mantle clocks. I think they used up the spare mechanisms in ordinary clocks.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Sadly this got no further, we lost Sally and I have kept the parts. Reminds me of her.