Description
This is a very large case standing 104" tall, 30" at the widest point on the base, and 27" on the top. It has the original crusty finish, and other than the rear stretcher of the base, the case is complete. Plain Victorian case, yet very large and makes a statement. I am sure it had a Swiss pinwheel movement originally, now with an early, C. 1850, French grand sonnerie, 3 weight movement, striking on 3 bells atop the movement. Only the strike side weight is compounded. The strike sequence is a bit unusual in that on the hour and at each quarter just before the quarter it does a passing single strike on one bell. Then at each quarter it "ting-tangs" the appropriate number of times for the quarter (on two bells) and strikes the hour on a single bell. Then (only on the hour) at about two minutes after the hour it strikes the hour only, again. The escapement is recoil type. The 11" porcelain dial is signed, "Claude Aine a Nancy", and has several hairlines and a couple of small pieces missing. The pendulum and bob are impressive and appear very much like a standard Swiss pinwheel pendulum and bob. The three weights are new German brass shells with lead inside. There is some cracking on the bob brass face cover. The large iron bracket was moved below the old holes to accommodate this earlier movement. Reference: NAWCC Bulletins, Articles by Lawrence A. Semour, Part I April 1972; Part II February 1973; Part III (1974) Note-has three train pictures; Part IV 1975.
Record courtesy of Horton's Antique Clocks