William L.Gilbert Progress 55

[CvilleMama]

Greetings! I’m so excited to be part of this group!
My husband and I just got back from a road trip to NM where we visited his 99 1/2 year old Uncle. He’s AMAZING. He wanted us to have this clock that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. So we got back to Charlottesville VA today and I set it up! I’ve been researching it and learned it’s a “kitchen” clock? Circa 1905?
I have done nothing but clean off the dust and wound it. Only the left side winds. I’m not sure if the right side will be “windable” after the clock runs a few days. Maybe I need to take it to a block shop.
I'm not sure what the extra little pendulum is. I’m excited to learn from this esteemed group of clock experts!
Can anyone help?
Thank you in advance!!
Jo Anne

 

[new2clocks]

Welcome to the forum.

I’ve been researching it and learned it’s a “kitchen” clock?

Yes. These clocks are commonly referred to as kitchen clocks.

Circa 1905?

The Gilbert experts will be along to assist in dating your clock.

Only the left side winds. I’m not sure if the right side will be “windable” after the clock runs a few days.

The right side winding arbor is for the time and the left side winding arbor is for the strike.

The right side winding arbor may be fully wound and ready to tick away. Move the pendulum gently sideways to start the clock. If it ticks away for a period of time and the stops, it may be 'out of beat'. Let us know what happens.

I'm not sure what the extra little pendulum is.

I am not sure what you mean by 'extra pendulum', as your clock only has one pendulum. Your clock also has an alarm feature which can be seen on the left side above the bell.

Maybe I need to take it to a block shop.

If you do not know when the clock was last serviced, a trip to the clock shop is a good idea. The movement will need to be taken apart, inspected, cleaned, oiled, etc. so it can run another 100+ years!

Regards.

 

[JTD]

I'm not sure what the extra little pendulum is.

I believe what you describe as 'the little extra pendulum' is the hammer which hits the alarm bell when you have the alarm system engaged.

Your clock strikes on a coiled gong which is hit by a hammer on the back (you can't see it from the front). The alarm has its own mechanism, hammer and bell.

JTD

 

[Arthur Cagle]

Also known as a gingerbread clock. Needs servicing by a clock repairer. Nice clock, by the way.

 

[Willie X]

Always good to see the original finish, glass and dial. The pendulum bob stands out as maybe it's been replaced, or 'worked on' a bit.
Nice clock there. Willie X

 

[RAK]

Hi Jo Anne,

Welcome to the Forum! What a nice gingerbread clock. As Wille X said, always a pleasure to see a clock that is as nice and original as yours appears to be.

Just a FYI that Chapter 34 in Williamsburg is a nice group of folks and is about a two hour ride from CVille. If you would to like show you clock to a group of clock and watch fans, I'm sure it would be quite welcomed. Plus your apt to get all sorts of free advice about your clock if you ask questions. The words of wisdom you will mostly hear is what New2Clocks mentioned: your clock probably needs a cleaning. The Chapter's next meeting is this Sunday (June 12th). I roll down there once or twice a year myself. They meet on the second Sunday of every other month and their contact information is on the Forum here if you look under the Tab for "Local Chapters".

Again, what a nice clock and the family connection makes it even better.

Bob

 

[Chris.K]

Your clock is one of several models from the "Progress" line which started around 1904 and ran till about 1912 or so. What I think is kind of unique is the use of several different mediums or stains if you will to make the carved birds , owels, or floweres almost look 3-d which I find very pleasing to the eye.. And your guess of circa 1905 is spot on in the ballpark give or take a year but right on...Chris..

 

[CvilleMama]

Greetings! I’m so excited to be part of this group!
My husband and I just got back from a road trip to NM where we visited his 99 1/2 year old Uncle. He’s AMAZING. He wanted us to have this clock that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. So we got back to Charlottesville VA today and I set it up! I’ve been researching it and learned it’s a “kitchen” clock? Circa 1905?
I have done nothing but clean off the dust and wound it. Only the left side winds. I’m not sure if the right side will be “windable” after the clock runs a few days. Maybe I need to take it to a block shop.
I'm not sure what the extra little pendulum is. I’m excited to learn from this esteemed group of clock experts!
Can anyone help?
Thank you in advance!!
Jo Anne

View attachment 712128 View attachment 712130 View attachment 712131

Hi all!
I wanted to update you on my clock.
I took it to The Clock Shop in Vienna VA and the owner took a look at this piece.
We were told yes the clock is old - maybe 1850s (but I think I dated it to 1905).
The reason the right side wasn't winding is because it winds counterclockwise!
So left "winding point" winds clockwise and right winding point goes the opposite direction.
It stopped ticking because the right side was simply "out of gas". Not out of beat. Just needed to be wound.
The clock woman/owner wound the right side and voilà! Works like a charm. (I felt a little silly but hey-you learn something new everyday!)
She took off the face and said it was a little dirty/old- obviously!- said it would be ~$1,000 to refurbish it (clock itself is worth ~$150) and all in all she said it's fine. For me, it’s the sentimental value.
The kitchen timer on the left side has been futzed with and is missing a part or two, so it will never work. That's ok. She said it makes a God-awful noise and we wouldn't want to hear it more than once.
Anyway- we brought it home and it's ticking away. I’m so excited!

 

[Arthur Cagle]

What you describe as a "kitchen timer" is actually an alarm, set by the numbered wheel in the center of the dial. And, yes, it does make quite a racket, so the lady is right...once would be sufficient!