Posted 5 years ago
Rschwanke
(1 item)
This beautiful Gustav Becker clock came to the US in the 1930s I believe with my grandparents from Germany. I don't know when it was made. It's in great working condition but the finish is certainly showing its age. Is it harmful if I try to refinish it or should I leave it original? Any comments or suggestions welcome! Thanks
Hi Rschwanke,
Welcome to Collectors Weekly!
What a beautiful Chiming Tambour Mantel Clock. I bet it sounds very nice.
I can't see the Gustav Becker logo, which looks to be hidden behind the chime rods.
See this legend of dates associated with the variety of logos GB used through the decades: https://mb.nawcc.org/attachments/1411-freiburg-logos-jpg.241811/
Regarding your heirloom, I would recommend that it be examined and possibly oiled by a good clock shop. They may recommend that it be overhauled, but would be completely up to you. It won't be a cheap service but it is a machine with many moving parts and should have periodic cleaning and maintenance...in my opinion. One of the things a shop will check are the mainspring clicks and springs. These are the parts that make the "clicking" sound when you wind it. They hold back the power of the mainspring and prevent them from suddenly unwinding. If these clicks or click springs fail, the mainspring's sudden, explosive unwinding can cause both injury to you and damage to the clock.
Regarding the case, there are a couple of schools of thought on the matter. I've seen finishes much more "weathered". I think that I would recommend you start with conservative, reversible measures first. It's like a small piece of wood furniture. Get a good finished wood cleaner like Murphy's Oil Soap, or Weiman Furniture Polish and Cleaner to lift of any dirt, dust and film. Often, all that is really necessary is a good cleaning and wax. Dont' use anything abrasive to clean the finish. Some folks like to apply a paste wax after cleaning. Lemon Oil and Bee's Wax is a nice, easy to use polish/wax. Minwax finishing wax is also a product I've had good experience with.
Try cleaning and waxing first. If you're still not happy with the appearance, let us know and we can make suggestions from there.
Hope that helps a little. Let us know if you have any more questions and thanks again for sharing your heirloom with us.
Bruce