Connection of pendulum leader to crutch bar

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:28 pm     Post subject: Connection of pendulum leader to crutch bar

I have what I believe is a Hamburg American wall clock, circa about 1880 - quite large. It arrived from Germany disassembled and crated. The works run pretty well on the shelf - a little fast. But, I can't figure out how to connect the pendulum leader to the crutch bar coming out of the suspension spring. I'm attaching links to photos of the suspension leader and the back of the clock works that I've put in PhotoBucket - I don't know how else to post the pictures. I really suspect that I lost a small piece in the unpacking, but I'm not even sure what it is!

Thanks.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn144/eehtee/crutchbar2.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn144/eehtee/pendulumleader.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn144/eehtee/pendulumleader2.jpg[/img]

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:15 pm     Post subject:

It looks as though you are missing the suspension spring - which is a piece which would mount to the rear post (above the crutch arm - the crutch arm is the piece which holds the un-mounted pendulum leader in the second photo). It looks like a portion of this suspension spring is still mounted (in your first photo) - but that the bottom portion has broken off. The bottom portion would have small posts which the hook of the pendulum leader would hang from.

I will admit that I am not the most experienced when it comes to mechanical movements, so please check back for other posts. There are patrons of this forum, that are far more experienced than I, that may be able to offer confirmation...

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:21 pm     Post subject: Thanks for the response

I'm a real novice at this - collect a lot of mantle-type antique clocks, but this was my first wall clock and it's a little different. And I'm a collector/tinker, not a repair person.

Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 5:21 am     Post subject:

It definately appears the suspension spring is broken, lower part missing. This movement appears to have been very much abused, from all the solder and discoloration. I would suggest taking it to a competent clock repairman who should be able to match a suspension spring, he can also let you know if it will even run, by looking at how worn and dirty the movement is. When oils dry out, they are usually contaminated with dirt which becomes a grinding compound. If wear is excessive, running the clock can cause severe damage. If a pivot breaks from wear, it can strip teeth and essentially ruin the movement.