Posted 4 years ago
AnythingOb…
(1778 items)
AND/OR the fun stuff sometimes found in old churches, but this one isn't in their basement but on a hallway wall instead. [and there's the caveat that it is still *theirs*, sadly not in any way my personal property]
This is an original relay/clock/switch panel which was built to control a set of "tower chimes", allowing them to strike the hour, maybe play a Westminster melody, or otherwise behave as their miniature brethren inside all varieties of old clocks. A WONDERFUL big steel boxful of old polished electrical gear and motorized mechanisms, behind a heavy beveled glass door and prominent brass nameplate.
Surrounded by various relays, gauges, and switch parts, the large dial at the top is the 'master' clock -- below that is its escapement mechanism which plays the actual music with a pinned drum that functions largely like the (much tinier!) mechanisms inside common music boxes/jewelry boxes/etc. I didn't remember to check their cornerstone to see when the building went up, but there's a good chance this was part of the original equipment there, probably 1930's or so.
When I asked about it while taking the (worse than I'd hoped for, sorry!) pics, I was told that this panel no longer operates the tower chimes, but they themselves were still up there. After a long day otherwise climbing around inside their pipe organ I didn't ask if I could go climb up wherever there to view/photo those too -- I have seen likely similar sets and their impressive size and mechanisms other places before, and I was tired, and facing a(nother) 2.5 hr. drive to get home... <groan>
