Posted 8 years ago
JEaglespho…
(1 item)
Help! Does anyone have any info on this clock? What year was it made? I cannot find any info I this clock on the web.
Russells' cast iron antique mantel clock | ||
| Bruce99's loves1873 of 3229 |  |  |
Russells' cast iron antique mantel clock | ||
| Bruce99's loves1873 of 3229 | | |
Posted 8 years ago
JEaglespho…
(1 item)
Help! Does anyone have any info on this clock? What year was it made? I cannot find any info I this clock on the web.
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Can We get a picture of back and inside? Thx PS: Were do You see Russells'?
Can you show us a well lit photo of the clock's movement?
It's black slate with brass trim, not cast iron.
It says Russell's right below the 12 o'clock marker. I put a photo of the movement up. Doesn't have a manufacturers name on it that I can see. This thing is heavy! Like I could hardly pick it up.
That's a French Movement. Judging by what I can see, my guess is that it could be from circa 1875 give or take 15 years. It looks like there is a serial number of the pendulum. If so, it should have a matching number stamped on the movement plate as well...probably behind the Cathedral Bell (or "Gong").
I find the Gong itself to be a little unusually. Most of the French Clocks I've seen from this period used a movement mounted Cup Bell to strike the hours. The brass disk "hammer" is normally used on a Cup Bell instead of a Gong so I'm not sure that is original to the clock. I would have to see a lot more to make an educated guess.
Regarding the Case Material, you can often tell if it is Marble, Slate or some other similar material by looking the back as Dave has suggested. Mineral based cases are often held together with a plaster-type of material. If you have a magnet, you can easily test whether or not this is an Enameled Iron Cased Clock or something else.
In any case, take care not to carry the clock around by the top. If it is Marble or Slate, the top could pull loose sending the rest of the clock to the floor or worse yet, your foot. Instead, cup your fingers below the base of the clock when you're moving it. That's a good precaution to take with any antique clock.
Also, be sure to remove the pendulum when moving the clock any appreciable distance. If you don't you may cause the clock to be out of beat or adjustment. You might also inadvertently damage the Suspension and/or Escapement.
If it is a French clock, identifying the "model" can be very difficult. French clocks were made by many different Artisans and Craftsman. French Clock manufacturers mostly made the movements which were sold to and used by smaller businesses to make the complete clocks. Also, a lot business records were destroyed in the two "World Wars".
It's a fine looking clock at any rate. Proper "Care and Feeding" of the case depends upon what it is made of, of course. Give us a little more information and we can provide you will a little more guidance.
Welcome to Collectors Weekly and thanks for sharing your antique with us!
Regarding "Russells" that may be the Logo/Name of Russells LTD out of Liverpool England. They were Watch and Clock Makers in their own right and most certainly could have used French Movements manufactured for export. Here's one reference I found online which gives some history of the company: http://www.southportgb.co.uk/showthread.php?t=50752884&page=1
So...I'm guessing that your clock was made in England and that it employs an imported French Movement. That might explain the use of a Gong instead of a Cup Bell.
Other Collectors here may have more info for you.
Hopefully that helps a little and will give you something to work with in conducting your research.
Good luck! :)