Clock movement maintenance in the style of Gilbert
In the realm of vintage timepieces, the Gilbert 1917 time and strike mantel clock stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of early 20th-century American clockmaking. This particular clock, a recent addition to a collector's treasure trove, boasts an intriguing backstory.
Hailing from a small village in Quebec, this clock was crafted by the Gilbert Clock Company, renowned for its precision and elegance. The clock's provenance is further traced back to America, underscoring its authenticity.
Upon acquisition during the summer of 2021, the clock underwent a meticulous cleaning and repair process. This included the replacement of the hour hand and the installation of new bushings for the second, third, and fourth wheels. The movement, stamped with the number 17, corroborates the clock's manufacturing year - 1917.
One notable feature of this clock is the punch marks around the escape wheel bushing on the rear plate. These marks, small indentations or marks made during manufacturing or servicing, can serve several purposes. They might be quality control or inspection marks made by the factory, servicing marks made by clockmakers over the years, or indications of maintenance history.
While the exact meaning of these punch marks on this specific Gilbert 1917 model is not widely documented, they provide valuable insights into the clock's history or condition. The rear plate houses the escapement parts that regulate the clock’s timing and strike, making punch marks in this context relatively common on clocks of this vintage and informative about the clock's past.
The case design of the clock resembles clocks from the early 1920s, adding to its historical allure. However, detailed technical information or valuation for this specific model remains scarce in online sources. For a more comprehensive understanding of the clock's provenance or value, consulting a horologist specialising in early 20th-century American clocks or Gilbert clocks specifically would be recommended.
This find is an unusual one for the collector, who has worked on several Gilbert clocks in recent months. The clock features a time and strike mechanism with a passing strike function, striking once on the hour to mark the time without a full striking sequence that repeats the hour count. It also includes a bell that chimes on the half-hour.
The clock's movement displays signs of previous servicing, with scratch marks suggesting it has been worked on before. Despite this, minimal wear is present on the lantern pinions and pivots, indicating that the clock has been well-maintained.
The Gilbert 1917 time and strike mantel clock is now a cherished addition to the collector's collection, offering a glimpse into the rich history of American clockmaking.
This cherished Gilbert 1917 time and strike mantel clock, newly acquired by a collector, has a history intertwined with both home-and-garden lifestyle and vintage clocks, serving as an icon of early 20th-century American technology. The chronicle of its craftsmanship, marked by minute details like punch marks around the escape wheel bushing, stagger the line between technology and gadgets, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the realm of home-and-garden, as well as the wider lifestyle sphere.
