Gustav Becker Mantle Clock

[Ouchie]

I have just "rescued" a Gustav Becker, oak cased, striking mantle clock (circa 1920) from a Charity Shop as a restoration project. It appears that the clock, although hardly pristine, is complete except for the suspension spring and key. I have approached one or two Clock Material Suppliers in the UK but they cannot identify the type of suspension required without a pattern and none of those on offer in the usual catalogues are suitable. The clock has a small dial on the main dial which can be altered to adjust the suspension length using a system of levers. I have no broken pieces which could be used as a pattern but it appears to require a strip attached to the adjusting levr at the top if the back plate which apparently should then pass through a split brass projection (also broken)and finally attached to the pendulum.
Broken Suspension
Back Plate The Clock

I am attaching photos which might make the problem a little clearer!!

Ouchie

 

[Ouchie]

I have just "rescued" a Gustav Becker, oak cased, striking mantle clock (circa 1920) from a Charity Shop as a restoration project. It appears that the clock, although hardly pristine, is complete except for the suspension spring and key. I have approached one or two Clock Material Suppliers in the UK but they cannot identify the type of suspension required without a pattern and none of those on offer in the usual catalogues are suitable. The clock has a small dial on the main dial which can be altered to adjust the suspension length using a system of levers. I have no broken pieces which could be used as a pattern but it appears to require a strip attached to the adjusting levr at the top if the back plate which apparently should then pass through a split brass projection (also broken)and finally attached to the pendulum.
Broken Suspension
Back Plate The Clock

I am attaching photos which might make the problem a little clearer!!

Ouchie

 

[shutterbug]

How is the spring attached to the pendulum? It looks like you could get a piece of spring the same thickness and make a replacement part. If the spring is part of the pendulum, it will be trickier

 

[Tom Kloss]

Hi.
I can't help you out with the suspension but, another problem you have is a broken chop. It's the stud that sticks out from the pivot plate holding the anchor arbor pivot. Tom

 

[John Hubby]

Tom is correct, that piece normally has a slot for the suspension spring to slide through; what is left there appears to be one-half of what was there originally. Will need to be replaced before the clock will regulate.

Timesavers has a couple of suspension springs that can be adapted to this setup, look at part no. 11098 and part number 11056. You can invert these, put a pin through the block to hold the pendulum, cut to length and pin the long end in the upper chop to hold in place.

John Hubby

 

[Ouchie]

Many thanks to all respondents and their helpful comments. I will look at the suspension springs suggested by John. I was aware that the "Chop" (is that really what it is called) which I thought of as a split post was broken.. The broken half was in the case and amazingly I have managed to braze the end in place and recreated the split!
I have been told that a pendulum leader is required but it seems to me that the pendulum is of the type which fits directly on to the suspension spring.

Ouchie

 

[Christopher Isaac]

Fantastic from a charity shop. I have never seen a good clock i a charity shop (they say they cant sell them when they are old because its a hazzard to peoples health, i meean what a load of rubbish) I think they just keep for themselves!

 

[harold bain]

ouchie, I think you are right, that the pendulum does not require a leader. It will hook on to a pin at the bottom of the suspension spring. If there are no suitable made-up springs, you could make your own with a piece of spring steel of the same thickness as the remnant of the old one.
Harold

 

[Mike Phelan]

Ouchie
As you are in Bristol, it may be better to have a look at the M & P catalogue (Brighton) to avoid excessive postage.

I think one of their suspensions will be OK - you may have to modify it slightly. At worst, they do sell assortments of spring steel, but a local market will have cheap Far East feeler gauges which are useful for suspensions.

The length is important - look for marks on the rod where the crutch rubbed.

 

[Sooth]

Hi, I haven't read all your comments, but your suspension looks like a typical GB suspension, like this:

https://mb.nawcc.org/

But with an added section that is just a simple circular rod with a vertical slot, which would hold the suspension in place.

It would have the same shape as the top piece, but with a much thinner slot.

It would be fairly simple to make, except to get the slot cut thin enough.

 

[John Hubby]

Sooth,

I see a serial number, the number or letter "O" at the right side. Could you post a photo showing the logo and confirm the serial number? Will be able to date your clock from that.

John Hubby

 

[Sooth]

Pastimes, this is the same movement you've already dated for me. The one with the logo drilled off.

 

[Ouchie]

Hi All
As avery elderly novice once again I am overwhelmed by the interest shown in my original query and the very helpful comments following which, I have now decided what part to obtain to start my project.
A quick response to each of you:
Chris - I agree 90% of clocks I find in Charity Shops are (boring) quartz!!
Harold - Thanks for confirming my view on the way the pendulum is suspended. Similar to Sooths photo.
Mike - Thank you for suggesting a UK source. Yes I have checked the M&P catalogue and am purchasing suspension 0560000115 36mm x4mm which should be acceptable.
Sooth - useful picture but my clock has an adjustable suspension (see my photo)
Pastimes - The logo on the back plate is in the form of an anchor surmounted by Crown with the letters G B on either side of the anchor. The only lettering on the back plate is P12.
Ouchie