scootermcrad
NAWCC Member
Well, I'm the new owner of an incredible turret clock and I couldn't be more excited to be taking this on.
A few weeks back, Don Bugh, from chapter 134, put out an email blast forwarding information on from Bill Smith from Mississippi chapter 41 regarding the passing of one of their members, Billy Fortenberry, and a tower clock that needed a new home. I have a huge love of all things tower/turret clock and have always wanted to do a full restoration on a German make turret clock, so I took a chance and reached out to Mr. Smith and we talked for awhile. The biggest hurdle was the location of the clock, 10 hours from me. As it turns out, my parents, who are retired, happen to be taking a road trip to New Orleans and Jackson, MS was literally on the way. Arrangements were made and with the help of Bill Smith and some other helpful folks, the clock was loaded in the back of a Honda CRV and brought to me.
Before I go any further, I just want to take the opportunity to publicly thank all parties involved, especially Mrs. Fortenberry, Bill Smith and his chapter members, Don from 134 for the communications, my family for the delivery, and Phil Wright from the Tower Clock Company who just happened to be staying with me for the weekend for another project. We had a great time staying up late figuring out what everything was and how it was supposed to go together.
So here's what I know. The clock is a 3-train, (time, strike, chime) with pinwheel escapement, and from what I'm hearing a bim-bam type strike/chime configuration. The clock was imported after WWII from Germany and seems to have lived in either a church or school. The inscriptions on the castings suggest it was paid for by donations from the city/village/parish and individuals in which it was installed. The maker, who remains a mystery, was Johann Spanbrucker who was from Friedorfing (now Friedolfing), and/or it was built in Friedorfing. Rather or not it was actually for an installation in Friedorfing (Friedolfing) is still one of the mysteries that will be a challenge to figure out. Johann Spanbrucker does not seem to come up anywhere in the history books as being a clock maker or horologist in the area. I cannot find any other examples of his work, which is bizarre considering the complexity and unique design of this clock and the high quality of the castings. I can't even find anything similar in design.
I still have a ton to learn about the history of this clock and quite a bit to examine, but the clock seems to be about 95% complete, or better. There are some holes in the chassis side plates that suggest something else is missing and the 2-piece pendulum is missing something, but I will remain optimistic that it will all get figured out and it can one day run again.
If anyone recognizes the castings or has any additional knowledge of this clock, please reach out or post below. There are several features on the clock that I don't recognize, especially on the output/lead-off side of the movement. More mysteries! In the mean time I'll share what's here. I'm absolutely ecstatic to have this opportunity and hope that I can do everyone justice by the restoration of this clock. It will take me some time, since I have a lot on my plate, but I couldn't be more excited!
Initial inspection shows the winding barrels will need to be restored or even re-made, the small ratchet wheel on the output side of the movement that seems to be used to release the lead-off bevel assembly will need to be re-made, pinwheel will need a little straightening, and something is off with two of the winding arbors and their pinions. One is actually wobbly, so it will need to be straightened. The biggest thing will be figuring out what's missing from the 2-piece pendulum and if there was anything else missing.
Thanks for reading and stay-tuned! Pictures attached.
A few weeks back, Don Bugh, from chapter 134, put out an email blast forwarding information on from Bill Smith from Mississippi chapter 41 regarding the passing of one of their members, Billy Fortenberry, and a tower clock that needed a new home. I have a huge love of all things tower/turret clock and have always wanted to do a full restoration on a German make turret clock, so I took a chance and reached out to Mr. Smith and we talked for awhile. The biggest hurdle was the location of the clock, 10 hours from me. As it turns out, my parents, who are retired, happen to be taking a road trip to New Orleans and Jackson, MS was literally on the way. Arrangements were made and with the help of Bill Smith and some other helpful folks, the clock was loaded in the back of a Honda CRV and brought to me.
Before I go any further, I just want to take the opportunity to publicly thank all parties involved, especially Mrs. Fortenberry, Bill Smith and his chapter members, Don from 134 for the communications, my family for the delivery, and Phil Wright from the Tower Clock Company who just happened to be staying with me for the weekend for another project. We had a great time staying up late figuring out what everything was and how it was supposed to go together.
So here's what I know. The clock is a 3-train, (time, strike, chime) with pinwheel escapement, and from what I'm hearing a bim-bam type strike/chime configuration. The clock was imported after WWII from Germany and seems to have lived in either a church or school. The inscriptions on the castings suggest it was paid for by donations from the city/village/parish and individuals in which it was installed. The maker, who remains a mystery, was Johann Spanbrucker who was from Friedorfing (now Friedolfing), and/or it was built in Friedorfing. Rather or not it was actually for an installation in Friedorfing (Friedolfing) is still one of the mysteries that will be a challenge to figure out. Johann Spanbrucker does not seem to come up anywhere in the history books as being a clock maker or horologist in the area. I cannot find any other examples of his work, which is bizarre considering the complexity and unique design of this clock and the high quality of the castings. I can't even find anything similar in design.
I still have a ton to learn about the history of this clock and quite a bit to examine, but the clock seems to be about 95% complete, or better. There are some holes in the chassis side plates that suggest something else is missing and the 2-piece pendulum is missing something, but I will remain optimistic that it will all get figured out and it can one day run again.
If anyone recognizes the castings or has any additional knowledge of this clock, please reach out or post below. There are several features on the clock that I don't recognize, especially on the output/lead-off side of the movement. More mysteries! In the mean time I'll share what's here. I'm absolutely ecstatic to have this opportunity and hope that I can do everyone justice by the restoration of this clock. It will take me some time, since I have a lot on my plate, but I couldn't be more excited!
Initial inspection shows the winding barrels will need to be restored or even re-made, the small ratchet wheel on the output side of the movement that seems to be used to release the lead-off bevel assembly will need to be re-made, pinwheel will need a little straightening, and something is off with two of the winding arbors and their pinions. One is actually wobbly, so it will need to be straightened. The biggest thing will be figuring out what's missing from the 2-piece pendulum and if there was anything else missing.
Thanks for reading and stay-tuned! Pictures attached.
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