Posted 10 years ago
fixit9660
(2 items)
Hi,
I bought this Sessions Mantel clock "not working", with no knowledge. After some careful cleaning and lubrication of the accessible bearings and pinions it's now running but:
What Model/Number is it?
How old is it, roughly?
Is there any documentation to help me disassemble, clean, refurbish, and most importantly, re-assemble this specific model mechanism please?
The clock face surround and hinged cover, hands, and front columns are all tarnished and I'd like to restore them. Any help there appreciated please.
Thanks in advance,
Andrew.
Hello fixit9660. You have a Sessions "Avondale" from circa 1910. According to Tran Duy Ly, it has an Eight-Day Cathedral Gong with the Half-Hour Strike on a Cup Bell. If that's what you have it should measure 12 1/2 inches High and 10 inches Wide. It would have what Sessions called their "Iveroid Dial" (plastic), plain brass sahs and Golden Oak Case. The hands on your clock don't match those illustrated in my reference so they may, or may not be original to the clock. It's hard to say.
I would refer you to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Message Board for help. See this link: http://mb.nawcc.org/index.php
Nice job getting it running again. Good luck with your future plans to properly service it.
P.S., if the above information "solves" your mystery, please indicate as much in your post. If you have additional questions, fire away.
Regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce99! Thank you very much!! That's great information. I didn't think it would be that old. The striking gong and bell info match the printed description on the rear of the clock, and what it does, so yes it would seem to be a match. Is there a way you can show me what your reference shows the hands look like please? I'm happy with the way my clock looks but if they turn out to be the wrong ones then hopefully it would be a simple matter to replace them should the correct ones ever become available. A plastic face - I wondered if it might have been too early for plastic. By the way, what are "sahs" please? I assume they're either the clock face and glass surround, or the columns and mouldings on the sides of the front of the clock. As they're plain brass then a simple sensitive polish (and varnish) should suffice to clean them up. Golden Oak - again I wondered about the wood but I'm not an expert on things like this.
Once again many thanks for your help, very much appreciated.
Best regards
Andrew.
Hi Andrew, that a typo and should read "sash" not "sahs".
Here's a link to a Sessions clock not unlike yours: http://p2.la-img.com/2770/55460/27056166_1_x.jpg
My reference shows hands like that. I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you happen to run across a pair, fine. If not, what you have looks okay to me anyway.
You're very welcome. Welcome also to Collectors Weekly. You'll find a lot of friendly, knowledgeable collectors here. If you make your way over to the NAWCC message board, I'm "Bruce Alexander" there. Send me a Private Message to let me know you're in the neighborhood.
Regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Amazingly I found this:
http://www.sessionsclock.net/2009/04/sessions-venus/
yesterday when I was browsing. How could I not have found it over the last few weeks? It's exactly the clock I have, although it's not so easy to see from the crummy photo I posted - apologies for that. Oddly the hands are not the same though, and I actually prefer them to mine, so I'll still keep an eye out for some.
Again, many thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Regards
Andrew.
Hello Andrew, The Avondale and Venus are very similar models. The Venus was circa 1908. It measures 10 5/8" high and 10 " wide. The columns illustrated in Tran Duy Ly's reference are simulated marble and the dial face is quite different. A pierced brass design. As previously mentioned, the Avondale is a little taller at 12 1/2 " high with an Iveroid Dial. I suppose that both types of decorative columns could have been used on either model but the distinguishing factor will be the height of the case. What are your clock's measurements?
Hello Bruce. I see what you mean about the different clock face. My clock is exactly 12" tall. 10" wide at the base and 5 3/4" deep at the base. And the column plinths sit on wooden bases too, not directly on the base. I need to pay more attention to the details.
Many thanks,
Andrew.
It's a new hobby/interest of yours. It wouldn't be fun nor challenging if you already knew it all. :) I look forward to seeing you around. I think that both the CW and NAWCC are pretty great resources.
Regards