Post Your Gustav Becker Clocks Here

UPDATED NOV. 25, 2014

If you folks will post serial numbers AND which logo (Freiburg or Braunau) is on the clocks I'll provide accurate dating. You can edit the posts already made to include that info. The GB logos previously posted here have been replaced with an updated set, shown here with revised approximate dates as well as double the number of logos:

LOGOS FOR FREIBURG, SILESIA FACTORY ©1995-2017 J. S. HUBBY. COPY FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.


Additional information and comments for each logo shown, starting upper left and progressing by rows. PLEASE NOTE the overlaps of various logos within given timelines, in some instances several logos were in active use at the same time:

1852 - 1877: GB anchor logo by itself. Documented to have been used within these years, possibly earlier but not later.

1869 - 1877: Same GB anchor logo but includes "GUSTAV BECKER FREIBURG i/S". Predominant logo in these years.

1875 - 1896: Medaille d'Or awarded August 1875, circular GB Freiburg logo introduced same time. Used with Medaille to the left and GB logo to the right from time of introduction to 1896, this was the predominant logo set in this time period.

1883 - 1885: The winged hourglass on world logo was used for a short period as noted.

1877 - 1925: The GB circular logo was moved to the left and Medaille d'Or to the right on some clocks made from 1877. The reverse positions were predominant until 1896 at which time this logo set became predominant until 1925. About mid-year 1925, this logo set was discontinued.

1877 - 1894: A stylized version of the earlier GB anchor logo was introduced in 1877 and used to 1894, found solely on spring driven clocks. Used mainly for the back cover of GB alarm clocks and other novelty clocks.

1887 - 1900: The GB circular Freiburg logo was used by itself primarily on spring driven wall clock movements, perhaps these were not considered of high enough quality to merit the application of the Medaille d'Or.

1894 - 1900: A fancier version of the GB anchor logo having a clock dial in the center of the crown was used on better quality clocks in this period.

1898 - 1899: The "double lion" GB logo was used for about two years. This logo is actually a near-copy of an A. Willmann & Co logo that was used from 1895 - 1899.

1900 - 1906: Another version of the GB anchor logo was introduced in 1900 and only used a short time. Note the clock dial is no longer there, nor any other mark in the center of the This one is found mainly on spring-driven wall clocks that have a strike control countwheel mounted on the back plate.

1908 - 1912: A block letter "GUSTAV GB BECKER" logo in oval form. This logo has been found on both "Amerikaner" and solid plate design movements within this period.

1906 - 1925: Another and fancier GB anchor logo with a wide crown and what appears to be a crescent moon in the center that was used only for "Amerikaner" design movements. The word SILESIA is stamped below the logo, indicating this movement has solid cut pinions and other features that were 'superior' to the competition.

1914 - 1934: The same fancy GB anchor logo as for the previously described version but without the SILESIA stamp. This version was introduced in 1914 when GB finally started making their "Amerikaner" movements with lantern pinions. This logo was used exclusively for Amerikaner movements to around 1922 when it was also used on some wall clock and grandfather clock movements. It was last used for movements made in the Freiburg, Silesia factory up through 1932 with that factory was closed, but has been found in dated clocks as late as 1934 that were assembled by Junghans, using "leftover" Freiburg movements.

1922 - 1932: This simpler version GB anchor logo was first used on GB 400-Day clocks and continued to the end of 1932 when Freiburg production was shut down. It was also used for Westminster chime movements made from 1925 to 1932, some wall clocks with solid plate movements, and grandfather clocks in that same period.

1918 - 1940: The block letter "GUSTAV BECKER GERMANY" logo was used on various clocks made with GB design movements until the Freiburg factory closed at the end of 1932 and then on Junghans or HAC movements sold as Gustav Becker clocks from 1933 to 1940.

1933 - 1940: This very simple and smallest of all GB anchor logos was used on Junghans and HAC movements sold as Gustav Becker clocks from 1933 to 1940

NOTE FOR USERS: These illustrations represent all known GB logos used on movements and for the indicated dates. If others are found they will be added in due course. The dates shown are subject to change as more data is compiled

LOGOS FOR BRAUNAU, BOHEMIA FACTORY ©1995-2017 J. S. HUBBY. COPY FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.


1902 - 19??: This circular GB Braunau logo has only been found on two clocks to date, both made in 1902 based on their serial numbers. Additional dates will be added if and when documented.

1888 - 1926: The GB Braunau factory had its own unique set of serial numbers and also some of their own logos, denoted by the addition of "Braunau i. Boehm" around the circle below the GB anchor and Freiburg i. Sch. stamp. This logo set with the GB circular Braunau logo and the Medaille d'Or stamp was used for the entire production period that factory was producing GB clocks.

1913, 1920 - 25: The identical GB fancy anchor with SILESIA stamp logo as described for Freiburg "Amerikaner" clocks was also used for "Amerikaner" clocks finished in the GB Braunau, Bohemia factory. Evidently the movements were made in Frieburg and stamped with the logo but finished and stamped with a Braunau serial number at that factory. They have been documented to have been made in 1913, then from 1920 to 1925. Also, these movements were a higher quality than the Freiburg version, having Graham deadbeat escapement as well as solid cut pinions and solid plates front and back.

1918 - 1926: The "MADE IN TSCHECHOSLOVAKIA" stamp was placed on most movements made or finished in Braunau starting just after the WWI armistice in November 1918 and continued in use until GB clock production ceased in 1926. NOTE that present evidence indicates the Braunau factory continued to assemble GB clocks using Freiburg movements from 1926 and continuing to 1932 but did not manufacture any clocks. After 1932 that factory was then owned by Junghans and converted to assembly of Junghans clocks until the beginning of WWII.

Thanks to all for helping nail down even better when these clocks were made!

John Hubby

 

OK, here's a start on the dating trail starting with the first clock posted:

Mike, Altdeutsch porthole style. I'm guessing this one is from Braunau, not Freiburg, so it will be about 20 years later than you posted. Logo ID and serial number will tell the tale.

Richard T, Architectural case 2-Chime Braunau S/N 455422. Made Late 1905 (this date is based on a recent update of all my Braunau info).

Richard T, Box clock marriage, mvmt Braunau S/N 66287. Made 1891. Rod gong introduction date stated is correct, 1898. Anyone says a rod gong clock was made earlier than this has the wrong info.

Sooth, Box regulator with fancy crown GB Anchor logo. I don't have that logo recorded so it's a new addition to my logo file. Don't know the significance of the "C" in the crown. My judgement is the clock was made early 1920's in the Freiburg factory. That date is based on the "M" stamped on the right side of the back plate.

Steve S, interesting Altdeutsche Wag, do you have the logo and S/N info?

Inbeat, Vienna style regulator 2-Chime, Freiburg Anchor logo, S/N 79040. Made 1874. Very nice piece!

Inbeat, 400-Day clock No. 8 upper bracket, disc pendulum 23D, back plate 1206B. S/N 2450341. Made early 1925. The GB anchor logo is a minor variation of the one I show 1910-1933 (as noted should be 1910-1940).

Sooth, dual chime mantel clock. Post photo of the anchor, a Brocot (as Scottie says) has half-round pallets. Not seen a GB with this type escapement.

srwilson, two westminsters. What are the serial numbers and logos? Also, the pendulum length numbers (e.g. P14 or P18)? First guess is that both clocks are 10-15 years later than you posted based on about 50 of these I have in my database.

Thanks to all for the info. The value of this exercise, among others, is that new info is "always" found if one looks deep enough. Sooth's GB anchor logo, to wit.

John Hubby

 

Sooth: Would like to clarify a couple of points regarding your dual chime clock, please confirm.

* The "Brocot" escapement is from this clock
* This is the same clock that had the two GB logos drilled off, no other GB logo is present.
* The serial number is 4534.
* There is an "O" stamped at the right side of the back plate.
* The pendulum number is P14 (not seen in photo)

I await your response, but I think now I know why the logos were drilled off.
----------------------------------------------

Lofty: Would like to see photos especially of the logo, but based on the info you have supplied your clock was made in late 1929. This was after Junghans took over the VFU (Gustav Becker) operations in early 1926. They started a new serial numbering system at that time, from the number 1, but evidently applied it only to the W'minster chime mantel clocks and 400-Day clocks.


John Hubby

 

srwilson, I am quite surprised there is no serial number on either clock. Up to today, all the GB westminster chime clocks I have documented (more than 100) have serial numbers, normally at the bottom of the back plate just behind the pendulum bob, or sometimes at the same position on the front plate of the clock (like Sooth's clock photo above).

Could you post a clear photo of the logo? Also of the full back plates with the pendulum removed if you could, that might provide more clues. For example, I've not yet documented any GB westminster without the pendulum mark, either P14 or P18.

One last question, is the word "Foreign" or "Foreign Made" on the dial just outside the minute ring at 6:00?

John Hubby
PS: I've enjoyed the chime recordings you have made!

 

I've just posted a major update of the logos I had shown on the first page. There are several changes, including the addition of the logo Sooth posted earlier. Explanations about what changes were made are in the edited text of that message.

Thanks to all for making me go back and check the source info!!

John Hubby

 

Sooth, thanks for the confirmations. I was thinking the movement had two logos including the Medaille d'Or, but looks like it had only the GB anchor. In my judgement that would have been the "NEW" one now in my logo layout, same as the one you posted earlier. I still don't have any reasonable explanation why the logo was "erased".

I have only documented a couple dual chime GB's and I don't know whether the others had the "P" info, because I just couldn't see it in the photos. In any event, your clock was made in early 1932.

John Hubby

 

Robert T, thanks for updating with serial numbers etc. Great clocks!! Here's what I have now, including a couple of questions:

1) Box style, Braunau serial number 665,923: Made late 1911. Two questions: Is there a "P" number, and is the gong strike a bim-bam type?

2) VFU Wag, Freiburg serial number 1,834,447: Made early 1905, very nice Art Nouveau example and fits the period.

3) Russell time only weight model, Freiburg serial number 82,212: Made 3rd quarter 1874. The movement appears to be 8-day, is that correct?

4) Tall clock, Freiburg serial number 2,105,174: Made early 1910, nice example of Arts & Crafts style that was popular at that time. Is there a "P" number? If Duck is watching, he should be able to provide info about the patent DRP 171659.

John Hubby

 

srwilson, thanks for rechecking the logos on your clocks against those I have now posted. When you get the opportunity, would really like to see photos of the backplates of both clocks to confirm the logos, as these may be the earliest documented examples. Also, could you confirm the "P" numbers on the plates?

John Hubby

 

Willard, regarding Kochmann's clock do you have any photos of the back plate? Or a serial number, logo description, etc.?

John Hubby

 

Scottie said,

Actually not. The springs on these clocks aren't any bigger or stronger than the ones in a Kienzle or Mauthe Westminster clock. FWIW, I think the gear reduction winding was done for two reasons:

1) Aesthetics. This allowed placing all three winding arbors inside the chapter ring, a much more pleasing effect than having holes cut in the IV, VI, and VIII numbers.

2) Ease of winding. The slight gear reduction would make it easier to wind. I have a couple other Westminsters and they are "not" the easiest in the world to wind.

John Hubby

 

Mike, did Steve provide any particulars? Logos, Serial Number, etc?

John Hubby

 

Duck, for dating purposes I have always used the date for which the patent number was issued, which in this case would be the May 1906 date (I think). Clocks made prior to that date could not have been stamped with that number even though the invention might have been a couple years old as in this case, obviously after that date they could be.

Is this correct?

John Hubby

 

Travis, very nice clocks! For the 2nd Baroque clock dial, have you done any resilvering? It's not all that difficult, although with all the engraving around the numbers it might get laborious to fill in all that with black dial wax.

Your two clocks were made fairly close together at the Braunau works. The first clock (2nd Baroque) with serial number 387575 was made around mid 4th quarter 1903, and the second one with serial number 394546 was made early 1st quarter 1904. At the production rate they had at that time of roughly 32,000 clocks per year, they were made about 80 days apart. They have many similar features, in particular the dials and hands, and the movements appear to be virtually identical at least from the back.

John Hubby