Purple?? disk on a GB 400 day clock

[Keith Doster]

This is the one and only Gustav Becker 400-day clock I've ever worked on so I am not familiar with GBs at all. Did a search for images trying to find this same colored disk on a GB but didn't see any. So, is this coloration the result of someone's over-zealous cleaning attempt? Or is it super-duper rare and worth millions!! The serial number (2270083) indicates a 1926+ manufacturing date, so maybe it is a Jauch variant? I'm kinda scared to touch it until I get a word from some of you experts.

 

[KurtinSA]

It does look like a GB disk...by chance does it have the serial number on the underside? As far as I've seen, no disk came this way from the factory. If you wanted to experiment with cleaning it up, try some non-visible spots on the underside. Can you disassemble the pendulum and look for untouched pieces of brass?

As for date, the time is more like the middle of 1913 per John Hubby's dating. He said that Kochmann had reasonable dates up to 1900 but he found info to tighten things up after that.

Do you have pictures for the clock including front and especially the back plate?

Kurt

 

[Keith Doster]

I see no S/N on the pendulum disc. There are some illegible numbers and an initial scratched on it. Could this be an aftermarket part with a protective coating? If you look carefully, you can see that there is brass showing through the scratches that were under the weights.

 

[KurtinSA]

I'm pretty sure it's not factory. I think I can see "800" scratched into the lower cover with more digits I can't make out. It's probably the serial number and seems to match from that standpoint.

Kurt

 

[marylander]

This is the one and only Gustav Becker 400-day clock I've ever worked on so I am not familiar with GBs at all. Did a search for images trying to find this same colored disk on a GB but didn't see any. So, is this coloration the result of someone's over-zealous cleaning attempt? Or is it super-duper rare and worth millions!! The serial number (2270083) indicates a 1926+ manufacturing date, so maybe it is a Jauch variant? I'm kinda scared to touch it until I get a word from some of you experts.
QUOTE)

One of my GB clocks has the same color pendulum. The serial number is 2268819. Mr. Hubby dated it Jan. 1913. I posted it here before.
Ming

 

[marylander]

Keith, Mine has a matching number.
Ming

 

[Keith Doster]

Keith, Mine has a matching number.
Ming

View attachment 713380

Aha!! Mine has a matching number too! I was trying to read it upside down. Thank you for clarifying that for me, Ming! It's now certain this is original equipment. So why the odd color? And since it scratches off so easily, I'm now wondering how I can clean it effectively without harming this apparently original color? Maybe this was a "limited time offer"? An option that wasn't very popular?

And Kurt, you were also correct. Once I flipped the disc around, the numbers do indeed match.

 

[whatgoesaround]

Starting with post #334 in this thread, there is a lot of information on this color on a Gustav Becker

 

[whatgoesaround]

Oops, my mistake. Under the "Post your Gustav Beckers here" thread. I thought we were in that thread.

Do not remove the color on the disc; it is correct.

 

[Keith Doster]

Many thanks whatgoesaround and roughbarked for the link/info to the other conversation about the colored disc. Hopefully, I can get this one cleaned up and running and showing off its "true colors".

 

[Keith Doster]

I have yet another question about the purple pendulum on this clock. (see pictures above) It has been stained by something that appears to have eaten into the lacquer. It looks quite bad, but I'm torn between leaving it as is, and stripping it off so as to re-purple it somehow. Or possibly just stripping and polishing the brass underneath. I expect to get at least three opinions in response to my question: Leave it, strip it and re-purple it, and strip/polish the brass. This leads to another question: How would you suggest a re-purpleing process (if that is even a viable option)?

 

[whatgoesaround]

It left the factory purplish or maybe blacker when it left; that is how I would want it. I assume you have washed it with dishwashing liquid and warm water? I would use a good carnuba containing wax and be done; that is probably as good as it will get. Maybe there is a way to redo the purple, but I do not know how. Just my two cents.

 

[Keith Doster]

It left the factory purplish or maybe blacker when it left; that is how I would want it. I assume you have washed it with dishwashing liquid and warm water? I would use a good carnuba containing wax and be done; that is probably as good as it will get. Maybe there is a way to redo the purple, but I do not know how. Just my two cents.

That is my preference as well: keep it purple/black. I used a couple of different cleaners - GoJo (which did nothing) and Purple Power degreaser (very gently, but it did nothing as well). So unless someone comes up with a brilliant idea of how to restore the original color and finish, I'll probably do exactly what you have suggested.

 

[demoman3955]

I like that science site, and i cant believe the numbers of colors that be put on brass.