Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 11/17/2008

Question
Hello there, I wonder if you can help me.  I have been lucky enough to inherit my late fathers Ansonia Clock, which I have admired all my life.  It was originally his Aunts who died aged 86 in 1976, so am sure this clock is pretty old.  She was given it by an American couple many moons ago.
It is a black mantel clock, which chimes one chime on the half hour, and then chimes for each hour.  Whilst I love the chimes, It does tend to wake my children up in the night....so, short of putting it away and out of sight, I am keen to discover how to turn off the chimes.  I know it can be done, as I am sure my father used to have the chimes off.  The clock does lose time a little, but this doesn't worry me.  I would be so grateful if you could help me.  I do have the original key for the clock, which has two winding holes one between the 4 & 5, and the other between 7 & 8.  It also has a small pin at the top above the 12.  The key does have a part that fits into the hole at the top, but I have tried turning it to see if it turns of the chimes, but it doesn't seem to do anything.....is there any chance that you can help me at all??
Many thanks for your time in reading this mail.....

Lesley

Answer
the little end of the key goes at the top for the fast or slow adjustment of the timekeeping - you might have a very small "F" and a "S" on either side of the hole to tell you which way to turn it if you want it faster or slower. just a trial and error adjustment(keeping a log of what adjustments you make,helps)


If you stop winding the strike side (left) the clock will eventually stop striking on the hour and depending upon the mechanism, it may or may not stop the 1/2 hour strike also. Kids will probably sleep through the single 1/2 hour bong anyway!