Re: BHA I acquired a BHA logo clock a couple of weeks ago in suitably dirty condition with a view to trying out the silvering supplies I bought a while back but did not use. I do not particularly like the look of this model but it has a silvered dial and I thought it would be good practice. The first part of the restoration I tackled was the base, it was painted black, lots of thick layers of paint, varnish and dirt. In an attempt to get back to the brass finish I spent three evenings stripping and sanding but gave up because the paint seemed to have reacted with the brass and corrosion was etched in all over and was difficult to remove especially in the creases. So it was re-painted, I do not like the look of it so may try restoring it again when I have a spare week or two or possible turn a new wooden base on my lathe. The rest of the clock only needed a clean and polish and under the dirt was in good enough condition although I had to adjust the eccentric to increase the lock and even out the drops, luckily the adjuster was not too tight. The part I had been looking forward to (the dial) was next. I re-filled the hour numerals and minute track and silvered the dial. I did have a moment when the lacquer I was using to protect the finish dissolved the engravers wax so lesson learned, always check and test compatibility of overcoats The serial number of the clock and pendulum is:- 2298226
Re: BHA Beautiful job! I love that model myself. I don't think there are many of those out there. Is the base painted brass? Eric
Re: BHA Hi Eric, There are a couple of these clocks in previous posts in this topic and they have a lacquered brass finish from the factory but mine was painted when I received it. Mike
Re: BHA Thanks Mike. Counting yours I've only recorded 10 of this model. Two are on green marble bases, one is married to a JUF base, and the rest are on typical Becker brass bases like yours. Do you mind posting the serial number? Eric
Re: BHA Mike, thanks for posting your info and the photos of your BHA GB clock. This one is near the last of these made for BHA; the serial number shows it was actually made during WWI near the beginning of 1915 and from all evidence available was shipped to England under contract to BHA. I have documented a significant number of GB clocks that also were sold in England during the war, which is an amazing situation considering the animosity between England and Germany. There is in fact a catalog from an English trader printed in 1916 that has the first GB 4-Ball pendulum illustrated. I have used that to confirm the GB 4-Ball was definitely introduced right after the JUF patents expired in November 1915. You did a great job on the clock. As far as removing the paint is concerned, I would have tried a strong paint remover and then used steel wool with a good paste brass polish to get down to unblemished brass. After that a final polish using old cotton toweling to bring up the shine. The only time I had a base on which that didn't work was one that was chemically corroded such that the zinc was removed from the brass and left very "splotchy" copper colored areas. Had to have that one plated with brass as it was an unusual design and I didn't have another one like it. Your silvering job on the dial is excellent. This model was made with this dial for nearly all the BHA examples, only one other clock has thus far been documented with an enamel dial having a floral garland inside the Arabic numbers. Eric, with this clock there are now 20 of this model in the BHA archive alone, plus numerous others in my main database. In fact, all but two of the the BHA models I have in my data after serial number 2141019 made in 1910 are this model. We don't have a specific model number yet, however there are two shown in GB catalogs that are similar: The first one to the left is No. 389 illustrated in the 1911 GB catalog. It uses a standard GB base with the movement support pillars to the front, disc pendulum, and an enamel dial with Arabic numbers and the GB Anchor logo at 6:00. This model has not been seen among BHA logo clocks but has been documented. The one to the right is No. 503 illustrated in the 1924 and later GB catalogs. It has the same movement pillar design as the BHA clocks we have documented but is fitted with a GB 4-Ball pendulum, an enamel dial with floral garland, and the GB "flared" base instead of the typical GB base found on most BHA logo clocks..
Tysala, welcome to the NAWCC Message Board! Thanks for posting the photos of your BHA GB clock, this one was made about November 1908 based on the serial number 2065723. This is model No. 498 as illustrated in the GB 1911 sale catalog and later: The "shield" design used for the dial and surround with the stamped finials is arguably the most attractive of GB glass dome models. It was made from 1907 to 1920, the large majority being made for BHA from 1907 to 1910. Although the illustration shows a GB anchor logo at 12:00 on the dial, I have not yet seen one with that present. Also, all the dials documented to date are silvered. Your dial has lost some of the original silvering, it can be restored in the same way that Mike (pollythecat) did his. The dial surround was originally a kind of two-tone dark and light bronze or gold color. Although your clock is missing the suspension guard, it appears to otherwise be completely original. Does the pendulum have a serial number scribed underneath the disc?
Picked this up today at a local antique store. As soon as I saw the base and then the BHA logo, I had to get it. SN is 2107927 on both the plate and pendulum. I believe this is plate 1032 because of the pallet inspection holes and logo location. Based upon some reading above, I'm guessing it's in the 1910 timeframe. If I'm seeing it right, the upper block/support is #7 in the guide. I guess this is a "shield dial" but different than the other shields shown above. Kurt
Nice one Kurt. I only find overpriced Kundos in my local stores. As John said above, that model was mostly made for BHA. My records show only BHA clocks with that dial. The crown piece is more common on 4 inch porcelain dials for Beckers, or silver dials for BHA. Did you get a bargain? Eric
Eric - It was $65, which for the age and rarity (the first one that I've ever seen), I thought was well worth it. The base is just holding together. There is a horizontal crack running along the bottom...it was visible when I was looking at the underside of the base and I could see through it. Not sure that I can fix it but I might get some of my favorite glue and smear it around the inside of the crack to give it some stability. They said they were selling things for a private estate sale, so I'll have to go back by. I've gotten to know the lady very well. Her husband used to be in our local chapter until he died maybe 15 years ago. She has the largest offering of all kinds of clocks that I've seen anywhere. Kurt
I'd call that a steal! I've only recorded 10 BHA clocks with that dial. I'd have grabbed that in a heart beat!
Kurt, thanks for posting. You have a model No. 498 Shield dial clock as I posted above in response to Tysala's post, and the back plate is Plate 1032. I now have 42 of this model catalogued in my BHA database, all of which were made from about March 1907 to the end of 1909 for BHA. During that same period I have found only one with GB logo stamps made about mid-1908, the plate layout is like 1207A but with no pallet inspection holes. However, from about April 1910 to just after the advent of WWI I have documented only eight more of this model, all with GB logos and all with Plate 1207A. Looks like this model was made almost exclusively for BHA prior to 1910, and then only for GB from 1910 to 1915. Regarding the dial and finial, it is completely correct for model No. 498. The rest of the clock is also original as best I can tell, the upper bracket is No. 7, the suspension guard is the correct design that was introduced at the same time as upper bracket No. 7 in 1909, together with Plate 1207A. Your clock was made about July-August 1909 based on the serial number.
Hello, here are photos of my clock serial number 2141128. It has been in my possession for probably the last 30 years and I inherited it from my grand parents who lived near London - I believe they purchased it new. I included the key in the picture as I haven't seen any other photos of the key - I guess this is often lost. I do have the original glass dome as well although it's not in the photos. Nigel
The other day, I was passing a local charity shop (I believe you call these "Thrift Shops" in the United States). This particular one was run by the local hospice to raise funds for the care of terminally-ill cancer patients, so I paid more attention to it than usual. In the window, there was a 400-day clock with a price tag of £8 in GB pounds, which would be about 11 USD. These clocks typically have a rather poor reputation in the UK and when they stop running they are often scrapped as being either valueless or at least worth far less than the cost of repair. Although I have plenty of other clocks of various types, I have never owned a 400-day clock and their poor reputation has always intrigued me. When I saw this one at such a reasonable price, coupled with the object for which funds were being raised, I had little option but to purchase it. The shop manageress explained the price by saying that she had no idea what it was worth, so she just thought of a figure! Its brass finish is somewhat tarnished, there is a dent in the pendulum disc and the clock will currently not run for more than a few minutes, but at least the only part missing appears to be the key and the glass dome is intact. The backplate is stamped with "BHA" mark. Although the serial number is partially obscured by the click spring, it is properly stamped and appears to be "1958503". Would Forum Members be interested if I were to take some photographs of it and post them here?
Hello, Sharing nice 400 day clock. The movement is unsigned, but I think that this BHA . Any comments would be very interesting. Regards Gintaras
Very nice and unusual clock. It is a Becker clock and John Hubby has shown it in their catalog in an earlier post. What makes it unusual to me is the unmarked plates. It was made while Becker was still applying their Gold Medal stamps to their movements, and it was outside the serial number range (in my records) for clocks sold by BHA. I have recorded a few other unmarked models in the number range of this clock. Perhaps John can shed some light on this one. Eric
Hi, I recently bought this most unusual BHA/Becker, serial no. 2070800.I have never seen such a GB 400 day before. The clock height (without the levelling screws extended) is 12". The length from the centre of the top block to the base is 9.5". The unusual brass decorative (?) piece I thought was the pendulum stowed upside down, though it doesn't seem so. The inner ring moves slightly...just about 10 deg....I haven't forced it any more. The dial was pitch black. I scrubbed it with a 600 grit paper under a tap, and the markings reappeared. Then I silvered the dial.The normal 5.5" suspension spring will look rather stunted on this piece. I will need at least a 9" wire; any idea where I can get this big suspension wire? Any further feedback on this clock will be very interesting for me. Please see the photos Thanks Sunand
Hi Sunand, Your clock has a custom made base. Is that a secret compartment under the decoration? It should have a case like this one: Post Your BHA Logo (by Becker) 400-Day Clocks Here I have number 2070789 in my records and it to has a wood case like the one in the link. Eric
Thanks Eric, But your reply was confusing, coz the link you provided `Post Your BHA Logo (by Becker) 400-Day Clocks Here' sent me back to page 2 of the BHA link, where I couldn't find the case you are referring to. May be, I didn't get it right. Interested in what you said, so could you provide a more specific link? Since my last post, with a bit of lube oil, I have been able to increase the inner ring to rotate close to 30 deg....lets see. Thanks Sunand
Hi Sunand, The link should have take you to post #90. Here is a link to the first picture in that post: https://mb.nawcc.org/attachments/sam_6908-jpg.277800/ Eric
Sharing pictures of my new find - BHA clock , SN 2141618 . Plate 1032 ? SN of pendulum is almost not visible, not matching movement SN. Sharing pictures of my new find- BHA SN 2141618. Plate 1032? SN of pendulum is almost not visible, not matching movement SN. Regards Gintaras
For whatever reason missed these year-ago posts re a No. 498 model GB clock with a relatively high serial number for those made for BHA. However, I have the following SN's now in my data for clocks that three for sure made for BHA and two made without logos that I believe were made for BHA but no logo due to the war. Even then, the last one in the list has Plate 1032 definitely made for BHA: 2298226 Model No. 489 Button Shield Plate 1032 2298231 Model No. 489 Button Shield Plate 1032 2298331 Model No. 498 Nouveau Shield Plate 1634* (no logo but has serial number, not shown in RG illustration) 2306165 Model No. 489 Button Shield Plate 1634* (no logo but has serial number, not shown in RG illustration) 2309340 Model No. 476 Standard Round Dial Plate 1032 Per my database these clocks were made in late 1915 to early 1916, which initially seemed improbable however I had already documented a number of GB Westminster clocks with GB logos including the Medaille d'Or made during the entire period of WW1 that have sale, repair, and/or presentation dates during and after the war. We know also that GB made steel plate "Amerikaner" design movements stamped in 1915 and later that were made during the war. Also the production data is consistent with the serial number series that these clocks represent. In any event, my conclusion is that BHA continued to purchase GB clocks at least until 1916. Since the first three have quite close serial numbers it would appear they were made in a single production run of perhaps 150-200 clocks. The other two being single data points doesn't allow a guess as to how many were made in each of those runs, but likely not that many. We need more examples to reach conclusion on these. They did not resume purchases after the war, as I have not yet found any BHA logo clocks from after the war. There were quite a number of GB 400-Day movements and clocks made for third parties from 1920 through 1923, for Huber Uhren (several with the Huber Logo) and Kienzle. These clocks have been identified as assembled by these two companies based on the cases, dials, and pendulums used at the time they were assembled.
John Am I sending this correctly, I was finding it difficult to see how to start off. I have a BHA clock Serial No 2141149. Now semi retired and at home due to the global visrus problem, I am looking to restore this clock that has been in the family for so many years yet not worked in my lifetime. The problem is that the escapement has a broken part and I am hoping someone can advise way forward. I have attached phots of the clock and defective part. Regards RJ
Hi RJ, You have discovered the weak link in Becker 400 day clocks. I have several clocks with similar damage. Here is a good one for example: The pin is 1mm dia. steel pressed or threaded (I'm not sure) into a brass collar. The end of the arbor has a slight taper that the collar is pressed onto. The pin hole in your collar looks quite enlarged. I would make a new collar with a new press fit pin and set them both in place with a touch of Locktite. Eric
