clock found in antique market in Iraq- assistance please

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:22 pm     Post subject: clock found in antique market in Iraq- assistance please

Hello everyone,
My name is Mike and I am currently deployed to Iraq. Since we are not allowed off the base to shop and experience local culture, they opened a bazaar on the base that consists of local vendors. One of the shops I frequent has a lot of antiques and this clock caught my eye. The price was right and I thought I could have it cleaned up and would be a nice reminder of my "time" here.

It is in rough shape, but it works. The chime mechanism has issues, but overall it keeps time. There are no markings whatsoever on it except for on the face. As you can see in the picture, it says "P. Allana & Bros Busrah" (I am on a base in Basrah, Iraq) and "PA Patent"

I'm guessing it is not a high quality piece, but curious if it is possible to tell the age just from the looks. One of the gears is free floating and does not move, and I believe it has something to do with the chime mechanism (when it hits the hour, instead of a corresponding number of chimes, it continously chimes and won't stop).

Since I am certainly not a clock expert by any means could you tell me what the two windings are for? I have the key, and I know one winds the clock itself, what does the other do?

Finally, I am concerned about the face because the paint is chipping off at the 9 and 3:30 positions. Is there something I can do to prevent it from further deterioration without being terribly noticable?

SGT Mike

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:44 pm     Post subject:

Allow me to admit (foremost) that I am no expert in regard to mechanical movements. That being said, make certain to check back within this forum for other posts from our more experienced patrons.

I believe that one keywind (as you determined) would be in regard to the clock mechanism itself (it looks to be a spring wound mechanism), while the other would be for winding the chime. The movement is probably in need of repair, and could use a good cleaning and oiling from the looks of things. I have seen similar movements (bearing no identifying markings) from China - although I have no means to confirm that it actually is a China movement.

There was not much out there on the web in regard to P. Allana & Bros, but the name seems to indicate a possible connection in Busrah. Perhaps some of the locals would be able to shed some light on the assembly? I also can not provide any suggestions in regard to preserving the face from further deterioration, although you can check with clock repair people about possible restoration methods.

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:57 pm     Post subject:

The only thing close I found online was a P Allana & Bros of Karachi mentioned in a 1996 copy of Clocks magazine.

search for allana on this page and you will see it. Anyone have a back issue to see what is mentioned?
http://www.clocksmagazine.com/indexes/volume-29.htm

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:24 am     Post subject:

It appears the clock could have been home made, as where the dial mounts it looks rather crude. Not much you can do with the dial, except get a paper dial to mount over it, or have the dial restored.