Gilbert Mantle Restoration Help

[TickTockChuck]

Current rescue clock is a 1871-1934 Gilbert mantel clock (1912). It has Gilbert marked below the six on the clock face and stamped on movement. The real work is seen from the back side. It is completely missing and notice the plywood sound board, whoops. I have several questions.
1. Does anyone have a good and cheap source for tone wood (sound board)?
2. Does anyone know the construction of the back? Guessing two-piece basswood with a round metal cover over a center hole in the top piece.
3. Is this an original top? (The angular edge cut does not match other mantle clocks or the smooth curved bottom section of this clock. Plus, the top is held on by two metal brackets, another whoops for restoration.)

 

[Thomas Sanguigni]

I would imagine your clock had some damage in the past. It was patched up, but it shows battle scars. Pine or bass wood would be good candidates for the back and bottom. Timesavers carries a rear access door. It looks like a coffee can bottom that pivots. If you refinish the back would have been black.

 

[TickTockChuck]

I would imagine your clock had some damage in the past. It was patched up, but it shows battle scars. Pine or bass wood would be good candidates for the back and bottom. Timesavers carries a rear access door. It looks like a coffee can bottom that pivots. If you refinish the back would have been black.

Excellent input. I went with pine for the back pieces mostly because it was easier to acquire locally. Finished crafting the bottom piece and still working on the top piece. Next step will be finishing those new pieces. I notice that inside of the clock is mostly gloss black but it seem the back of most clock are not gloss black. There appears to be a different approach for those back panels than the rest of the clock. Any insight?

 

[Thomas Sanguigni]

I've noticed insides can vary in sheen, and I stick to satin black on the outside. It has just enough smoothness to help keep dust and lint down. Sand off all roughness. In the future, when you dust, you will be thankful.