Posted 13 years ago
thisoldwatch
(81 items)
This is a very unusual "War Alarm Clock" possibly from the 1940's. It has a tax stamp on the back. These were possibly made to support the war effort during WW11. Enjoy the pictures and thanks for looking.
Jim
PW Collector posted another "War Alarm Clock" recently. He explained that the clocks were produced with very little Brass, a very important metal in short supply during the war. You can find his post at: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/56831-western-clock-co--westclox-war-alarm-c
Nice, interesting clock by the way, thanks for sharing it!
thisoldwatch,
What is the case made of?
Mine is by westclox although their name is not on it, has a case made of wood fiber (cardboard). Metals had to be used for war materials.
Love that clock,
Dave
thisoldwatch,
What I noticed unusual about yours (unusual to me anyway), is the address at the bottom of the dial is, MADE IN WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A. instead of, MADE IN LASALLE, ILL. U.S.A.
Was this one made by Westclox or another maker?
Dave
The clock case is a thin metal.
In was made by The Gilbert Clock Company.
thisoldwatch,
after doing some searching, I see where Gilbert was one of the clock companies that were allowed to continue making clocks during WWII. That explains why they could still use metal for the case.
Westclox did not have permission to make clocks, so their name was not on their wood fiber (cardboard) cases.
Dave
Actually, Westclox did make a steel cased Waralarm. Here are a couple:
http://s41.photobucket.com/home/dhoosee/tag/waralarm,%20westclox%20alarm%20clock%20ww2
A few companies that had been making alarm clocks before production was halted by the govt. in June 1942 were selected by the War Production Board to manufacture War Alarms beginning in mid 1944. They weren't allowed to advertise in any way, including putting their company name on the clocks or boxes. They also couldn't sell them for more than the price established by the OPA: $1.65 for spring-winds, $4.95 for electric models. There may have been others, but the companies with WPB authorization to make War Alarm clocks that I know about include Westclox, Gilbert, Telechron, and Hammond.