Help me identify this French slate clock!

[clockman208]

Hello! I have this French slate mantle clock and I do not know who made this clock. There aren’t any markings on the movement. There is a marking on the pendulum however which I have attached a photo of down below!

Any help is appreciated!

 

[new2clocks]

The inscription on the pendulum - S.G.D.G. - means Sans garantie du gouvernement or without government guarantee.

The BTE is likely an abbreviation for Breveté, which means 'patent'.

An unmarked French movement will be nearly impossible to identify with any certainty,

And since the pendulum was most likely made by an unrelated third party, the pendulum may not be of assistance in identifying the movement maker.

Regards.

 

[clockman208]

Ah I see okay. Do you have any idea how old this clock could be?

Thanks

 

[new2clocks]

Ah I see okay. Do you have any idea how old this clock could be?

Thanks

I would say between 1880 and 1910. Circa 1900 would be reasonable.

I see no clues that would narrow the date, but perhaps others will.

Regards.

 

[clockman208]

Thanks! When I eventually take the movement out of this clock I will post some more photos and hopefully we will see some signs that will lead us to a conclusion in the sense of date and maybe help us find the manufacturer. Thanks for your help!

 

[JTD]

Thanks! When I eventually take the movement out of this clock I will post some more photos and hopefully we will see some signs that will lead us to a conclusion in the sense of date and maybe help us find the manufacturer. Thanks for your help!

It is unlikely that you will find any maker's mark on the movement when you take it out of the case - it would be visible already on the back plate.

Everything new2clocks has written above is correct. These French movements were often unmarked and sold to whomever need them to put in a nice case.

JTD

 

[clockman208]

Ah ok thanks!

 

[T.Cu]

Hi Clockman, I think those closed escapements are sometimes Vallet escapements, depending on their inner workings. How they suspend the pendulum, which I can't see..
I think they are considered to be from an earlier time than the regular Brocot escapements?
But I'm not really sure of any of this, so I'm hoping someone who does know will chime in.

But as to whether it's slate or marble-like stone from the Dinant area of Belgium, well, there are a number of interesting threads on this topic here in the forum.