Help identifying a grandfather clock and suggestions for repair shop

[JBowers]

I grew up with this grandfather's clock. It's got a face that says COLONIAL MFG. CO. ZEELAND MICH. USA, the number 1264 on the back and the mechanism inside says "WM GILBERT CLOCK CO, WINSTED CONN. USA. Pictures of these are attached. I've found other posts on colonial which makes me think the number 1264 is sometime in roughly the 1920s. If anyone had any additional insight on this, that would be great.

The main purpose of this post is to get suggestions for people to repair the clock. I remember it working when I was very young. Sometime in the 1970's, it started striking 13 (and higher) so we just stopped winding the striker side and attached both ends of that chain to the weight. The timekeeping part of the clock works quite well and it keeps time. I'd like to get the striker fixed and have it gone through. I'm in Maryland just outside of DC. Are there people in the greater Washington area that do this type of work?

My other question is about the wood of the cabinet. Most everything I've read about Colonial has them using mahogany. The finish on the outside of this clock is very dark and cracked (see last picture). Hard to tell what it is. There is a small chip on one side of this. From the chip, it looks more like a veneer than solid mahogany. Wondering if they used veneer on some of these.
Thanks in advance
John

 

[new2clocks]

Welcome to the forum.

Colonial were furniture makers that purchased movements from various movement makers. Colonial usually purchased German movements, but Gilbert was a U.S. company. Others can provide a circa date based on the Gilbert movement.

I'm in Maryland just outside of DC. Are there people in the greater Washington area that do this type of work?

At the top of the page, click on 'Local Chapters', navigate your way to Maryland. Select the local chapter nearest your home and call or email them for a reference.

Regards.

 

[ToddT]

I can't speak for Colonial specifically, but a lot of wood clocks were veneers over lesser woods.

Your finish is likely shellac. The alligatoring happens over time with heat. I note your clock is next to both a window and a floor register. If it's a sunny window that could contribute to the alligatoring. And heat blowing on the clock won't help the wood.

There have been discussions on these boards (particularly in the Case Construction and Restoration area) on finishes. Some like and prefer the original finish, alligatored and all. Some prefer to redo to bring out the glory of the wood. Ultimately it's your clock, so do what you wish.

Still, the suggestion would be to start conservative. You can test for shellac by taking a q-tip with some denatured alcohol and testing an inconspicuous area. Alcohol will readily dissolve shellac. You can look up methods for testing for lacquer, too. Once you've confirmed the finish, start with a good cleaning. Variations of GoJo (with NO pumic) have been suggested, and clean until clean rags don't show any more dirt. That may be all you really need. If it still looks bad, you can attempt amalgamating some fresh shellac on the surface. The alcohol in the shellac will slightly dissolve into the old finish.

There are more suggestions in the Case Construction area. But again, start conservative and in inconspicuous areas. If you don't like what you are seeing, don't go any further without more advice.

 

[Andy Dervan]

It was listed in Colonial Mfg. Co. 1919/1920 catalog and was one of its low end models with a simple US time and strike movement.

The finish is very alligatored indicating that it is probably a shellac based finish like Todd mentioned.

Andy Dervan

 

[JBowers]

thanks for all the info and advice.
-Denatured alcohol says the finish is shellac. I'm not a fan of the alligatoring and will probably refinish it once the weather warms up a little more and the back porch becomes an option.
-There are a couple of wooden brackets on the inside of the cabinet behind the clock mechanism. Wondering what these were for. Something related to transport maybe? Other possibility that came to mind is the brackets were associated with a

different clock mechanism which would mean it had a transplant. Well within the realm of believability as Gramps had many clocks in his garage and he liked to work on them. Also, a colonial/gilbert combo doesn't seem common.
thanks again
John

 

[WIngraham]

Excellent service and friendly people can be found at Stephens & Stephens in Havre de Grace, MD.

It is a bit of a distance but worth the drive if you are looking for somewhere local.

Stephens & Stephens Clock and Watch Repair (clockology.com)

Will

 

[Andy Dervan]

Gilbert was a preferred supplier of US made simple time and strike clock movements to Colonial Mfg. Co. especially during and after WWI!!!

Andy Dervan