Cuckoo Goodwill find-Triberg Cuckoo Clock with wooden weights

[mishon]

I got this from the Goodwill. It has a gold plaque on the side that indicates the maker to be G.Berger of Big Ben Clocks in Triberg, member of the Cuckoo Collectors Club. It also says it is "made with love". It has a night shut off knob, wooden weights, wooden hands and dial, dancers and a working water wheel. It plays 'Edelweiss' and 'Happy Wanderer'. The pendulum appears to be bronze or copper and has a pine sprig engraved on it and says' ccc'. the only thing wrong with it was that the chain for the music box gear had slipped off track, easy fix so now everything is operational (I'm guessing that's why someone got rid of it) I just need to dust it out really good. As far as I know each one is one of a kind, and I have been looking for one of these clocks for years, I let one (different theme but same trademarkings) get away on Ebay in 2011, and have been searching ever since. I am on cloud 9!

 

[Dick C]

I find it interesting that the plaque inscription to the right is in English.

 

[harold bain]

Nice find. I don't often see anything more than quartz clocks at our thrift store. Is it an 8 day clock? I have a customer with a clock using wooden weights, somewhat similar to yours.

 

[mishon]

I believe it is a one day clock, judging by the weights, but I won't know until it gets a good cleaning. I also have wondered about the 'English' writing on the plaque as well. The clock I found on Ebay had an identical plaque but was a traditional bird motif, although extremely elaborate and detailed (hand placed shingles on the roof etc). The only other example I have found was a gentleman asking for appraisal value on another website, and in the photo I could see his clock also had a similar plaque, his looked like an earlier version, and the clock had grazing deer and a woodpile. My guess is that the clocks were made in Triberg, by the 'Big Ben Clock Shop', and sold in the tourist section of town (I am guessing is called Wren Bazar??), specifically for American tourists, hence the English. That's just my theory though.

The thrift shops here almost NEVER have cuckoos. this was indeed a find!

 

[Tinker Dwight]

We can not ask what the open market value would be
but I don't think the rules prohibit asking, what did you
pay for it?
Tinker Dwight

 

[mishon]

It was an auction item, and I was able to judge by the visual condition of the movement that it was probably not in horrible condition, and had not had anything sprayed on it. The bellows sounded as well. My winning bid was 133.00 which was MUCH more than I would usually bid on a Goodwill clock but, like I said, I had been after this one for a while. I know that wooden weights alone would cost me more than that, so I could at least use it for some decent parts or install a new movement. I miss the good old days when the Goodwill just put a sticker on EVERYTHING.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

Still, not a really bad price, considering all.
Tinker Dwight

 

[harold bain]

The weights would be close to 3 pounds each for an 8 day. It does look like it's a one day. You did get a good deal, if it doesn't need too much.

 

[mishon]

It is a One-day, and all is working. Cuckoo sounds the correct number of hours, dancers rotate and music box plays both songs! My three year old seemed more excited than me when I tested it all out, so nice to see the look of wonder on a little face!

 

[harold bain]

Just a suggestion. You can shorten the chain enough to keep it out of reach to a toddler by taking the loop on the end and hooking it onto the hook that holds the weight. And mount it high, close to the ceiling.

 

[mishon]

That's a good idea, thanks! I have had other cuckoos for years, and so far I haven't had any incidents with my kids getting too curious and yanking the chains. I have three boys, the oldest two are 20 and 17 , and they were always told that the chains were like the stove 'DON'T TOUCH' so they totally ignored the weights and chains as kids. Hopefully my youngest will continue to be as well behaved.

 

[timepast]

Great Goodwill find. The Goodwill that I go to occasionally have cuckoo clocks from the 60s and more modern. Though often without the weights. Luckily the one`s I`ve picked up always have worked with a cleaning and oiling.

 

[K03045]

These clocks are only available in Germany, and each is one of a kind. I bought one while stationed in Germany. They were made from 1985 to about 1996 and are very valuable!

Here you will find information on the German patent for them.

DPMAregister | Registerauskunft des Deutschen Patent-und Markenamtes (DPMA)

 

[S_Owsley]

I visited the clock shops in Triberg in 1989 and bought my mom a similar clock with the wooden weights and music. Well made and wasn't inexpensive! Hope it brings you a lot of joy in the coming years.