Posted 4 years ago
Gregk
(1 item)
I own this beauty of a clock. Ansonia cast iron clock. As you can see the back cover plate is missing. Does anyone know where I can get the back cover plate? You help is appreciated.
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Thank you but that is a different model.
Hi, Gregk. :-)
Beautiful clock.
Here's what looks like a twin:
*snip*
This is an Ansonia Mantle clock patented June 18, 1882. The face is made of porcelain. The pillars are made with cast iron and brass.
*snip*
https://www.etsy.com/listing/665097136/1882-ansonia-mantle-clock
You might want to consult this forum:
https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/ansonia-cast-iron-mantle-clock-my-first-antique-clock.39788/
Oops, I forgot to mention: if you want your pictures to orient correctly, try trimming them a bit to make the long sides a bit shorter. That usually does the trick.
Collectors Weekly Show & Tell software doesn't always play nicely with all photograph sources.
Thanks again. There is someone selling one on EBay for $99.
Yeah, these backs are made of fairly thick iron plate with very specific mounting/attachment points. They are not interchangeable and they are not readily cut down and made to fit. If you can't find the right part, I've seen "replacements" made of wood which has been painted black. It is inexpensive, easy to work with and will seal the clock against dust. You can always keep an eye open for a part that actually works. I'll see if I can find the model name for you.
Your clock is an Ansonia "Bristol Extra" from circa 1904. It shows up from time to time, but you chances of finding a back from a derelict example for yours is probably slim.
http://www.clockprices.com/ansonia-iron-case-bristol-extra-mantle-clock.html
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/68923868_antique-ansonia-bristol-extra-iron-case-clock
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/26270990_ansonia-iron-mantel-clock-st-louis-jewelry
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/68923735_antique-ansonia-iron-bristol-extra-mantel-clock
Here's a current listing for one on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184603464608?hash=item2afb3953a0:g:5-gAAOSw4h1f7jTH
Good luck,
Bruce
I appreciate this very much. Thank you all
You're welcome Gregk. Maybe you can find someone who knows what they are doing who can make a cast iron piece for you. It's easy to talk about it, but actually doing a job that doesn't look like junk does take skills and tools. The same thing can be said about working with wood, which is much easier and more forgiving. In any case, buying a different model to "cut down" it's back would probably be a huge waste of your money and time.
Bruce99, Woo hoo! I was hoping you'd notice this post and chime in. So, an Asonia Bristol Extra mantel clock:
http://www.clockprices.com/ansonia-iron-bristol-extra-mantel-clock.html
Here's one with a different face:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-ansonia-bristol-extra-iron-133911827
Yes, people can sometimes make a replacement part if no genuine replacement part can be found, but in this particular case the clock back isn't just a simple flat piece (image below is from the etsy listing I linked earlier):
https://i.etsystatic.com/11293622/r/il/ce2adc/1810068723/il_794xN.1810068723_i8i4.jpg
It appears to have a small, circular access door (which makes perfect sense).
Here's another listing with a picture of the clock works through the circular access hole:
https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/tomharris/03/639903/H1107-L163992810.JPG
https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/Antique-Ansonia-Iron-Bristol-Extra-Mantel-Clock_06C4FE3B45/
Pacem, the face is just aged but I like the patina cover. It gives it character. I did find the same exact clock on EBay. The clock is not working and is in bad need of repair. They want $99 or best offer. I asked them I be would just buy the back plate. We will see
Hi GregK. I have some experience with this general class of Ansonia Black Enameled Cast Iron clocks. As you observed, the back is not just a flat piece of iron. There are often "legs" or positioning tabs that fit into specific areas. The four (or more) fastener holes all have to be precisely placed. There is very little room for error. Unless you find someone who is "parting out" a clock, they are probably interested in just getting rid of the whole clock. Who knows? I'm happy to see you bringing this clock back to life.
Regards,
Bruce
Pacem and Bruce, I guess the real fascination with these old clocks are how well they were made. Plus the fact they are 140 years old makes them a interesting conversation piece. And my clock works well and I have the key. Thanks Bruce about the details on the back piece. Pacem, $40 plus shipping would not break me. I will see where the sellers head is. I’m in sales and I buy a lot on Ebay so I can negotiate quite well. Thanks again for this solid advise
Just from fishing with your ole buddy, Pacem, you seem to think you know more about this clock than I do so maybe you could fabricate a back that is right on the money for Greg? It shouldn't cost too much if it's half as easy as you say it is. This one probably weighs in at 20 pounds or so. It doesn't hang on the GD wall so no problem there. What about it?
I'm not paying freight because I'm not the one on here talking a bunch trash. You don't know the first thing about me. I've been on this planet a lot longer than 25 years, fella. I do agree with you though. It's time for you to put up or shut up. Do you know how to do either?
Just what I thought.
Guys, guys, guys! Chill! It’s just a clock! Either way I will buy the back for this in due time. I know what to look for now. It’s 72 degrees here in Chicago so I’m going onto to my porch to smoke a cigar. Thanks again and have a good night
Clearly you're the one with the ego problem and just as clearly you don't know how to shut up. I hope you know how to put up, but I really doubt that you do. You come across as a keyboard warrior. All talk with very little else. Go play with your glass.
Sorry to spoil your posting Greg. I hope that I provided you with some useful information about your clock. I've been around here for a while and it's usually a nice, respectful environment for Collectors to share information. Every once in a while though...I'm out. Contact me directly if you have any questions or if I can be of any further help to you. Pac man can have the last word if he wants it. I've go no more time to waste on him. Later.
All good and no worries. Have a good night to both of you.
Hey Pac Man
(I'm calling you that because your mouth is always running... "Wha-ah-wha-ah-wha-ah-wha"...)
I think you meant to write "you're a clown" and not "your a clown" didn't you?
Is English a second language?
I've been an active member on this board for over 10 years. I must admit, I've seldom seen folks of "your" quality offering such helpful free advice about how to buy the wrong clock for parts that won't fit and then making a birdhouse out of the cast iron left-overs.
Your words speak for themselves. "Wha-ah-wha-ah-wha-ah-wha"...
I'm sure we'll all read a lot more of your helpful advice in the future.
Have fun.
"Wha-ah-wha-ah-wha" :) You're funny.
Okay, here's another quarter Pac-Man...
...and there he goes yet again....
The mouth keeps running and running and running even though he really has nothing of value to say. The best part is that he just keeps doing it over and over and over again.
You're fun at first, Pac-Man but you get a little boring after while. Same ole moves, going nowhere fast.
Take it away...please.
Pacem and Bruce,
Good morning. So I decided to just get a model that someone is selling for parts. The guy who is selling one for $99 on Ebay never returned my email. When he gets desperate and finds out none what’s to restore he might cave in. Besides that I have a question for both of you. So I learned from you the back is in two different parts. The bottom larger portion seems simple with the four screws. The top portion one of you said is positioned with brackets? Also someone is selling a fully restored one on EBAY for $325. It has the white face with darker columns. I like mine better with the gold face and gold columns. Anyway besides my point and question.
I appreciate your help.
Greg
Hi again, Gregk. :-)
Bruce99 is very knowledgeable, so I would let him have the last word on this subject.
However, I took another look at the best picture of the back cover I've found (from that etsy listing), and what it looks like to me is that the only two pieces are (1) the main, house-shaped panel, which is fastened to the clock by four screws (2) the round access door, which is fastened to the house-shaped panel by two fasteners of unknown type:
https://i.etsystatic.com/11293622/r/il/ce2adc/1810068723/il_794xN.1810068723_i8i4.jpg
This eBay listing has a picture of the back of the clock with the whole panel removed:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184681383942?nma=true&si=fKsiX07SHwcdt%252FnBOEmXFvP1yH0%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
The whole shebang weighs about 23 pounds, per this purveyor:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ansonia-steel-case-mantel-clock-140486854
Thank you keramikos. Makes sense. Thanks again
Well, (I says to myself, I says)...the next time I want to convert a surviving 100+ year old American Cast Iron mantel clock into a bird house, or perhaps welded into some kind of funky yard art, or even turned into a boat anchor I'll know who can help with that.
Okay, to get back to the purpose of this website:
Gregk: While I have not worked on this particular Ansonia model, I have worked on several similar Black Enameled Cast Iron clocks. The cases are usually bolted together along inconspicuous seams. From what I can see in your photo, the back plate is probably largely flat tucking inside the outline of the case to make a smooth joint. It looks like there are two fasteners at the top corners. The bottom of the case has two positioning tabs. The fasteners would probably go through the back plate and into them. As you've noted earlier, there is a round access cut out in the middle of the plate which has a rotating metal door. It gives the owner easy access to the back of the movement. Take your time. As I mentioned before, I have seen clocks like yours with wood replacement back panels. If you can get a close fit, the wood back will function to seal out dust, which is the bane of mechanical clocks and watches alike. Buying an entire "parts" clock doesn't really solve the problem for you. It has just shifted it to another clock that you'll have to deal with sooner or later. If you do have a local metal shop, no doubt they could fabricate a metal replacement for you but I can't imagine that it would be cheap. Only one way to find out.
keramikos! It's good to see you again. Thanks for stepping in to actually help Gregk.
Thanks again and have a good day