Help with make

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:21 pm     Post subject: Help with make

Hi all I am new to this clock stuff and really need some help. I need to know what I got here. This has been to 3 different clock specialists even through the clock guy himself and nobody knows what it is. Some say from the 40's other say 70's. This is from a great grandmother who was alive from the mid 1850's to the very early 1900's. So this is more that both of them years they tell me. If anybody knows what this is please tell me.



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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:43 am     Post subject:

looks like it was cobbled together. The clock is probably from 50-60's, while the frame, and other items could be earlier.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:50 pm     Post subject:

During your Great Grandmother's time, many mass produced clocks were actually key wound. The first quartz clock did not make its appearance until 1927 (and this was primarily in laboratory settings over the next decade). Electrical powered (plug in) clocks were available prior to this (since 1843 in Europe), but I would not think they would be as prominent for the mass population until after the 1930s. I suppose prior to the 30's, you would find electric powered clocks in the homes of wealthy families who's location was probably near a larger city (where early power grids had been established).

I think that many people will estimate the manufacture date of this clock to be 1940's and up. I think that the primary reason would be that these types of clocks were more commonly mass produced at that time. I must admit that there are some elements which strike me as more modern than not (examples: the clock face, the sconce power switch below the clock, etc). This is not to say that I am (by any means) any sort of expert. In the end, all you will have is opinions unless you can try to find any sort of manufacturer information. If the clock can be removed from the sconce panel, you might be able to find manufacturer information within. Perhaps the motor itself bears some information (maybe it was made by a certain company that was only in business from 1899 - 1925). The more information you have, the better your chances are of placing a firm date on this clock assembly.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:24 pm     Post subject:

Thanks for the info. All I got so far was a name on the switch in the back which when I looked it up the company is still in business, however they started in business at the turn of the 20th century.

I will take that part off and give a look if I see anything and post it up

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:39 pm     Post subject:

I actually found out that it is a german sunburst clock but other than that not sure

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:10 pm     Post subject:

Sunburst clocks were actually more common from the 1950's to the 1970's. I guess the style was more of a mid century thing.

Check this one out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250784027794&clk_rvr_id=242444861824

It looks a bit like your clock (that is, if the face of your clock had been replaced at one point in the past).

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:53 pm     Post subject:

yea I had seen that one on Ebay. Just don't know where the rest came from. I want to sell it but I dont want to be ripped off if it is something very rare.