Unusual brass mantle clock by Lenzkirch

[Stainless]

Good morning

I recently purchased this clock in auction as part of a cheap job lot but I have a feeling it might be something interesting! The case is large and made from solid brass and the mechanism is ny Lenzkirch.
I have searched the internet but been unable to find anything like it. I wondered if any of your members could cast some light on it. There is an incription on the back in German dated 1911 which I think states it was an anniversary gift but I am not sure. Any help from a German speaking member would be greatly appreciated!
I guess my question is has anyone seen anything like it before and should I polish the case or leave it as it is.
Any advice would be gratefully received
Thanks you
Steve

 

[wow]

Back in the 70’s a friend of mine and I found several of these tambour style clocks in an antique shop in South Carolina. We bought them and restored them. None were Lenzkirch but all had German movements. They were all tarnished brass. We cleaned and serviced them all and polished the brass. I still have one in my shop. Lots of work with good metal polish will give you a beautiful case. Those are the only ones I’ve seen.

 

[new2clocks]

The movement is the number 56 movement by Lenzkirch.

The '1 Million' series of serial numbers commenced in 1895 and lasted until 1924, when the '2 Million' series of serial started.

Only the last three numerals of the serial number show in your pictures, so an accurate dating cannot be surmised, but the year 1911 is certainly possible.

Regards.

 

[JTD]

There is an incription on the back in German dated 1911 which I think states it was an anniversary gift but I am not sure. Any help from a German speaking member would be greatly appreciated!

Happy to oblige, though it would have been a lot easier if you polished some of the tarnish off the plaque first ! It says:

To their dear Silberstein on his wedding day [from] and then follows a long list of surnames, some are the same so marked as I or II.

11th June 1911

The strangest thing about the inscription is the curious monogram at the top which is followed by an exclamation mark. No doubt it was meaningful to those concerned, but I have no idea what it is.

IK had a very similar Lenzkirch with a brass case like yours, it polished up beautifully, but it was a lot of hard work!

I have sent you a private message.

JTD