Posted 9 years ago
phantomsig…
(2 items)
I bought this clock at auction . it says it is a New Haven Clock Co/USA; Dec. 25, 1923. Condition seems good, was told the chime lifter is off lever. Is this an expensive fix?
New Haven Clock Co/USA; Dec. 25, 1923 | ||
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You have a "Harkness" Westminster Chime. I don't understand what the issue is that you're quoting. What do you mean by "the chime lifter is off lever"?
The clock is from circa 1929 but your example could certainly have been manufactured earlier. So this was a Christmas gift it looks like? The originally listed for $53.40 which was a lot of money in '23, About the equivalent of $750 in 2015 dollars when the clock was brand new.
New Haven manufactured 3-plate Chime Movements which can be a little pricey to have serviced properly. *Any* 3-train chime movement service will be more expensive than time-only or time and strike movements.
A clock very similar to yours recently sold on eBay for about $125. I can just about guarantee you that a *proper* servicing of your clock will cost more than that.
See this link: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=17331&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&LH_Complete=1&_nkw=new+haven+westminster+tambour&_sop=16
Hope that solves your mystery.
The comment "chime lifter" came from the auction house. I was hoping to see if anyone knew what that meant. I payed $22 for this clock and they said it wound good and kept time, but no mention of the chime function. Thanks for the additional info.. If the chime comment makes no sense let me know and I'll consider this solved!
The only thing that makes sense to me is the "Chime/Silent" function. When the Chimes are silenced, it is usually done by a lever or mechanism lifting the chime hammers away from the rods. That would be my best guess.