Posted 14 years ago
mikeb1
(1 item)
This clock was in my grand parents house before they passed in the 60's, and it was a gift to my grand-mother and was in there dinning room,was said to be 70 yrs old then.
I just got it from my mothers estate this month.
It chimes once for each hr and once for the 1/2 hr.
There is a paper tag on the back base but much of it is gone, there is a date of 1880 and looks like November on another line.
On the right hand bottom on the clock work base is the number 4 1/2
on the other side near the top is (diamond with ST) Made in
USAmerica
this is above the 1/2 hr bell
I have not seen any with a bar thur the lions head mouth for the key.
Would like help dating this great clock.
thanks
Mike
Hi. The '4 1/2' means the pendulum length is 4 1/2 inches (from the pendulum support at the top to about the center of the pendulum bob). If you remove the bell from the back, you'll probably see the movement model number, i.e. 89A. This is useful for dating the clock. On many S.T. clocks from this time period (probably 1890-1920) if you remove the pendulum and turn the clock over, you may find a series of 4 numbers and a letter from A through L. Try viewing from various angles. The numbers were usually painted on. If you see numbers and a letter, reverse the order of the numbers and that will be the year the clock was made (i.e. 3091 would be 1903) The letter signifies the month of manufacture (i.e. 'A' would be January, 'B' would be February, etc.) Hope this helps!
Thank your for your time and all the information.
There is a set of painted numbers on the bottom of my clock.
It will be great to finally know how out this clock is.
When i figure out the date code i will let you know what i found.
thanks,
Mike
The number on mine works out to be 1906 G but did not find a model number.
Thanks for all your help.
Mike
I will Own one someday I swear! , That is a Beautiful Piece of Art!
Lovely!
I am sure you will.
There are lots of styles to pick form.
Yes it is and i am proud to be its care taker.
Thanks
This model looks like the Adamantine finish "Prince" which can be found on page 480 of Tran Duy Ly's "Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements" Third Edition Volume 1. The only difference is that the clock illustrated in Ly's book has the more common Lion with a ring in its mouth. Everything else is an exact match right down to the scroll patterns. Tran's 2005 price update valued this clock in mint condition at $375. With the rarer lions, this model might be worth more. Enjoy!
I had to laugh... the bar through the lions mouth is most likely NOT for the key...they just chose to put it there!
thanks Bruce
thats great infor that you have shared
will be getting the clock back wed and haveing some need repairs done too the works
mikeb1, you're very welcome. That's great that you're having the movement serviced. Check out this website for information on how to care for the Adamantine finish: ftp://atmos-man.com/pdf/adamant.pdf.
It has very good information on some basic things you can easily and safely do yourself that will bring out the beauty of your clock's case. Best regards.
P.S., if you're just starting out as a clock collector and don't feel comfortable disassembling your clock's case, use an old toothbrush (or buy a soft child's toothbrush) and "Q-tip" cotton applicators to carefully clean and polish around the ornaments. Enjoy!
good information on the 4 1/2 what year is this movement cool clock
My wife just purchased a Seth Thomas that is just like this one. Going by what Dave has told us, it was made Jan. 1905. I haven't removed the bell yet to see what the movement model # is yet. I am trying to find out if it chimes on the hour, or if it also chimes half hour, and quarterly. I can wind it by using the key in the left winding mechanism on the face, but the right winding mechanism is very stiff , or maybe stuck and I don't want to force it. I will be getting it looked at and serviced as soon as I can. Thank you for all of the information you have given, and thank you in advance for any more that you can give!