MJ, very nice lancet style Westminster. This one actually was made early 1921 based on the serial number, and is the same as Model No. 436 in the 1924 GB catalog except yours does not have a molded wood trim on the front.Thanks John, I repaired the pendulum with a small square brass and shape it . Now to put the movement back together and clean another set of those damn spring barrels by hand (AGAIN). And my newest 1923 gustav becker clock to my collection and look 3 spring barrel's on this one too. God -now I know why I like weights clock's !!! Maybe I stop buying gustav becker clock's and buy myself a spring tool ?!
Steve, thanks for posting the photos of your clock. I think I can clear up the confusion regarding DRP/Serial Number.
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Wensing, thanks for posting the photos, that helps a lot to identify your clock. One question: Is there any other marking on the back plate such as the letter "O" stamped at the lower right? With regard to dating, you are correct that movements with the "SILESIA" stamp were made from 1910 to 1926. However, the very large majority were made between 1910 and 1915 as was your clock. I'll explain more below.Hi, I recently was given an old clock. I am delighted that it is running and striking OK. I want to repair this clock into its former glory!
Research pointed me to this forum, and I was hoping that someone can ID this clock and give some more information than I already gathered.
The clock is a Gustav Becker clock. The back of the movement shows the GB anchor with SILESIA and a P48, so it must be made somewhere between 1910 and 1926.
This gong sequence has a couple of common names, either "ting-tang" or "bim-bam". I personally use the latter. It has a particularly pleasing sound with the GB Trio Gong, which was first used about 1909.On the inside of the case there is a Trio Gong (thanx Jeremy
The movement has 4 hammers that strike in pairs: a 1st hammer and 1 pair of the other 3 hammers. It is striking OK, it is a nice ding-dong.
While your clock has some characteristics of the later Art Deco clocks that Laprade mentions, in fact it is a late Art Nouveau design made before WWI. The exact clock is shown in the 1912 Gustav Becker catalog (recently published by Victor Tang) as Model 3081, and described as one of a group of "Cartels Art Nouveau". To me it appears to be somewhat like the Arts & Crafts style clocks made between 1907 and 1915, but the "spandrel" designs on the dial and the design of the hands are without question of Art Nouveau influence. I am attaching a scan of the catalog illustration so you can see what I have described and also what is missing on your clock. The two pieces from the door were square pyramid shaped blocks. The width dimension were about 1/4-inch wider than the fluted decorative piece still there, the overall height would have been about 5/8 inch with the edges thick enough to match the thickness of the fluted piece.
It appears from the catalog scan the clock originally had flat glass panes installed. There is another identical design clock that has bevelled glass, designated Model 3181. I will post a scan of that one also for you to see. I would be very careful with the dial, as most cleaning fluids will remove the black numbers. Use only water with a very mild detergent and a very soft sponge to do any cleaning. If you don't like that result, then you probably should try to find a professional dial restoration expert to refinish the dial.The other repairing that needs to be done is the glass plates in the door and the face of the clock.
Does anyone have more information about this clock?
I would be very delighted
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Actually I have seen a number of rack striking clocks (both wall mounted and hall clocks) with the strike release lever having a cord attached, that is then passed through a hole in the side of the case and with a small weight at the end to hold it taut. In the dark, all you have to do is pull the cord and you will hear the most recent hour struck. I've also seen a number of grand sonnerie striking clocks with the same arrangement.
It would be very helpful if you could post a photo of the back of the movement of your clock. If there isn't a serial number I would expect the movement to be one of the GB American-style types, but having a clear photo showing all the info on the back plate would allow us to see what it actually is.
OK, this makes sense. Your movement is one of the "SILESIA" grade American-style movements that were placed in production in late 1909. These don't have serial numbers and can only be dated based on the case style and other such characteristics.
I never seem to be able to find such deals.
Rick, thanks for posting. The number you mention is the serial number, which is in a series started by Junghans when they started their takeover the Gustav Becker company in early 1926. Based on documented clocks a separate series was used for different types of clock movements but each followed the same system, starting with the number "1" and continuing until the Freiburg factory was closed at the end of 1932. For example, 400-Day clocks had their own series, Westminster and Westminster/Whittington table clocks had their series, weight driven wall clocks had their series, and hall clocks had theirs.
Rick, thanks for the additional photos. Those confirm the info I gave earlier regarding the clock. It is exactly like Model 318 in the 1932 GB catalog, with the addition of the two carvings at each side of the dial. Also, on close inspection I think the wood is walnut and not mahogany as I guessed in my earlier note.
. I haven't seen anything yet that looks like this stamped on the backplate so I was hoping you could clarify. If that's not actually there, no problem.
