Removing hour hand from Gilbert mantle clock

[mwomack]

I have an old Gilbert mantle clock, most likely from the 1920's. I am going to dismantle it for restoration, but...I am stuck struggling to even get the hour hand off so I can remove the face and clock mechanism. I know it is supposed to be pressure fitted, but it sure looks like there is something else that needs to come off first (see picture). The ring of brass that is just above the hand itself, is that a clip or part of the hand?

thanks for any help or advice you can give.
-Mark

 

[wow]

That’s a part of the hand. It should come off with a small puller. First try penetrating oil. Let it soak a while. Should slide off.

 

[R. Croswell]

A little penetrating oil (Aero Kroil is great) as suggested, but allow it time to work, overnight would be good. A puller is not usually required and could easily bugger up the threads at the end of the shaft. Just twist the hour hand and pull at the same time and it should slip right off (after the penetrating oil).

RC

 

[mwomack]

...yeah, that did the trick. I think I need to make a video of taking the hands off the clock for future folks like me asking the same question. Thank you. Of course, now that I have the clock all taken apart, I see other issues, but I'll post on different threads for that.