Can anyone tell me more about Majak russian cuckoo clocks?

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:04 pm     Post subject: Can anyone tell me more about Majak russian cuckoo clocks?

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and just wanted to introduce myself as well as inquire about my new clock. I've always loved clocks (and old music boxes, come to think of it...maybe it falls in line w/ how my friends have always mocked me for being so sensory-oriented (right lighting, scents, sounds, down pillows, etc.!) - and I've always wanted a cuckoo clock. We have an older house, in which I think it will fit nicely - and also we have 3 small boys who I think would love it as well. I hope they won't yank on the pin cones though!

I just won this clock on ebay (have attempted w/ 3 others like it in the past!) and would love to know more about it. For some odd reason I love that it looks like chocolate (!), that it's a bit different than the typical German cuckoo clock, and that it has USSR written on it which is just fun/different, in my mind. Although the link to the clock I won won't always work, it will at this time that I'm posting (scroll down a bit to see it):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320566682024&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_819wt_1139

The following is a link to one on youtube that has the sound I like, although the pendulum isn't round like all the others'):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320566682024&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_819wt_1139

This link is to one w/ a crazy sound (!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bELSMDSATto&feature=related

Here's one w/ the round pendulum which I kinda like...it makes the clock look more whimsical. I have no idea which type of pendulum I'm getting or which is the original (I'm hoping the round one). The seller said it's been in her family for years, and that it works, is all I know. I also like how slow this one cuckoos. It doesn't make me feel crazy and it has a nice rich sound. Too bad you can't see many details due to the low light:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGmvQr1rz6g&feature=related

Thank you!
Theresse

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:03 am     Post subject:

Congratulations on your clock

If it is a bakelite case that would place it in the 1930-1940 time period. Saw one on youtube, and it looks like your's and it is regular plastic. If that is the case then probably the 1950-1960's.

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 6:44 am     Post subject:

Thank you!

I'm wondering how many years they made this clock. I've seen them on ebay advertised as bakelite but I've also seen others comment on theirs being from the '50's or '60's. Now I'm curious if it's bakelite or plastic but you probably know better than I would!

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:44 pm     Post subject:

bakelite is a very heavy dense plastic, made from phenol, and formaldahyde.