Probable William Leavenworth tall case movement

[tbonjour]

I have what looks to me to be a William Leavenworth wooden tall case movement and dial, except for one feature. It has a vertical slot in the front plate so that the center arbor can be removed without taking the movement apart. This appears to be the same as or similar to what is seen in the Roberts family movements, however I have not seen a reference to Leavenworth using this feature. I know there has been discussion about William Leavenworth movements here in the past and I am wondering if any one here can shed any light on this feature appearing in this movement.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

To help us, can you post pictures of the movement?

 

[Jim DuBois]

Tom, some Leavenworth clocks did have the slot for the lift lever to slid out of the plates, see the following

 

[tbonjour]

Thanks Jim, I will post some pictures soon. The vertical slot surprised me. I had seen references to this being an identifier for the Robert's family movements. I got to ask about the Leavenworth movement in your picture. It is a little unusual! One of his Albany creations I see. My dial is not signed so I assume that my movement was made in Waterbury.

 

[tbonjour]

Pictures of the probable W. Leavenworth movement.

 

[Jim DuBois]

Yeah, the movement i pictured was special due to its being pretty early as well as having the mickey mouse alarm mechanism. The photo is nearly 50 years old and I didn't recall ever having this clock....I retrieved these photos from an early COG

 

[Peter A. Nunes]

Tom, all (or nearly all) production era tall case movements feature that slot so that the center arbor can be removed without pulling the plates apart. I can't remember ever seeing an exception, and I've seen hundreds of t.c. movements. Really the only distinct feature that makes Roberts family movements easy to spot is the increased distance between the plates.