Ridgeway Grandfather clock chain came off.

[mickri]

The left chain on my clock came off. I am trying to find a parts manual to help reinstall the chain. I inherited this clock from my grandmother. I don't know how old it is. It is over 65 years old because I used to help wind the clock when I was a little boy in the 1950's. I believe the serial number is 26673. Could be 20673. It is stamped on the back of the clock mechanism. The first "6" is not stamped clearly.

It could be that the ratchet mechanism is broken.

 

[roughbarked]

Your photos could be better and I assume by left you mean when looking at it from the front as it appears to be the strike train side which from the back, is on the right.

You should be able to check whether the ratchet is not functioning now that the chain is off by working the wheel with your fingers or a screwdriver or a wooden stick.
This may simply be that the chain has come off the wheel. The first thing to do is to try lifting the chain back onto the teeth on the wheel(without the weight attached), you may have to tease it around the wheel by utilising the ratchet side. Then try pulling the chain either way. As you are aware, one side of the chain will ratchet while the other way drives the train and should have resistance. If all seems well, you may hang the weight on again.

Luckily, the strike side is the easiest one to put the chain back on without removing the movement.

 

[JayKosta]

If removing the movement from the case is necessary, FIRST use bread twist ties to secure the other chain together so they don't come loose.
You might have luck using a piece of metal coat hanger as a sort of 'pick' to get the chain up and around the 'hidden' side of the wheel.

 

[Willie X]

With the weight off, just drape the tail end of the chain over the chain wheel and rotate the wheel with your finger until the tail end of the chain drops to where you can pull it down, that's it. Removing the end tab may make this easier.

Make sure the chain is dropping straight down on both sides of the chain wheel and not touching anything.

A clock that old would likely need a lot of work to get it back in good running order. So, the chain thing is probably the 'tip of the iceberg'.

Willie X

 

[mickri]

Sorry for the fuzzy photos. The camera on my flip phone isn't the best. It is all I have at the moment.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was able to carefully get the chain to go around the ratchet. The ratchet is working and not broken. No idea what I did to cause the chain to come off. My clock is running again. It keeps perfect time.

Any idea on how old it may be? From what I have read today about Ridgeway serial numbers this clock could have been made in 1926. I believe that the serial number is 26673. It is the only number anywhere on the clock that I can find. It is stamped on the back of the mechanism. My grandparents were married in either 1916 or 1917. My mom was born in 1918. I never thought to ask how old the clock is. My grandparents have long since past away and my mom passed in June 2021 two months shy of her 103rd birthday.

I have a lot of memories with this clock. It is a true family heirloom. It will eventually go to my daughter and then on to her daughter. My granddaughter.

As far as I know this clock has never been serviced or had any repairs made to it.

 

[Willie X]

I think your clock will date back to the early 1960s, or thereabouts.

Look up 'Ridgeway Clocks' and 'The Gravely Furniture Co', history. Willie X

 

[mickri]

I know it dates back to the late 1950's because I have memories of helping my grandmother polish the weights and wind the clock back then. I had to wear white gloves so I wouldn't get any finger prints on the weights.

The back plate of the mechanism on the right bottom corner has
Gravely Furn Inc,
Martinsville, VA, USA
Made in Germany
No (0) Jewels
UNADJUSTED
PL 8.5 cm

The bottom center has the number 26673.

That is all that is written anywhere on the clock that I can find without removing the mechanism from the clock. Thanks for the suggestion that it was made in the early 1960's or thereabouts. I will do the search that you suggested.

 

[mickri]

After more searching online I found a picture that was identical to my clock. The description said it was a model 130 called "The Cornwall." I saw another picture that was the same style as mine but an antique white looking color. The description said it was a model 130 called "The Lady Cornwell." Been a fun afternoon getting my clock working again and learning about it.

Thanks to everyone for their assistance with my clock.

 

[Willie X]

Long time lister 'Spiff' has some factory sales pamplets and other info on these clocks. He reports in every few weeks and may be able to provide some good information. I know he has covered the white one before. You could probably search the archives for some of those old post. Willie X

 

[J. A. Olson]

This is the post showing a 1967 catalog entry for the Ridgeway No. 130 'Cornwall' in white.

Ridgeway Clock

Husband inherited a Ridgeway Clock 15 years ago, we were wondering what it was worth. The model number says 130, Movement E, Finish F/W, and serial# 1216

mb.nawcc.org

Spaceman Spiff may be able to help further.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

After more searching online I found a picture that was identical to my clock. The description said it was a model 130 called "The Cornwall." I saw another picture that was the same style as mine but an antique white looking color. The description said it was a model 130 called "The Lady Cornwell." Been a fun afternoon getting my clock working again and learning about it.
Thanks to everyone for their assistance with my clock.

Hi, mickri, and welcome to the message board.

As Willie X mentioned above, your clock is from the 1960s. Ridgeway clocks weren't even made in the 1950s, so it's impossible for your clock to date from then.

It sounds like you've already found the model name & number. (And thanks to J. A. Olson, above, for sharing a link as well).

I only have catalogs from certain years, but model 130 as the Lady Cornwall is showing in my 1967 catalog, so your clock most likely dates from a couple/few years either side of that date.

Best regards,
John

 

[mickri]

Thanks for your info John. I have fond memories of helping my Grandmother wind the clock when I was in elementary school. I had to wear white gloves to keep my fingerprints off of the weights. I was in 5th grade in 60/61 and 6th grade in 61/62. If the clock was not made in the 1950's then it would have to have to been made sometime from 1960 to early 1962.