Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have just got a bracket clock with a striking mechanism that I have never seen before. The rack and snail are on the backplate. The plates are round and the mainspring barrels are captive being attached to the backplate. Escapement is deadbeat brocot. Dial has "MADE IN USA" at 6 o'clock position. Movement, dial and case look as if they started life together but whilst the case and dial look like they are good quality American of around 1900 the roundplate movement with captive barrels looks European (French or Austrian perhaps). There are no makers marks anywhere. Do you have any thoughts on what this clock may be?

ANSWER: American for sure--If you have a faster internet connection than mine you can wade thru these 1600 Ansonia photos and see if you can find your case:   http://www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com/indexlinks.php?manufacturer=Ansonia


but the mechanism is familiar -- described in my beat book as :
Ansonia T&S Rnd. Mov. w/Brocot Escapement. Rack and Snail on Back Plate Pat June 18, 1882

probably made for export

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
Thanks for your reply. Couldn't find the case on the link you gave. Here's a picture of it, maybe you've seen it before. You mention your book which has details of the movement. Where can I find a link to the mechanism or source a copy of the book. I will be in the USA (North Carolina) all next month visiting my daughter and new grandson so may be able to locate a copy. Hopefully the clock may turn into an article for CLOCKS magazine (see my first article in December 2007 issue page 21. I'm a retired hobby horologist (Grad BHI in 1997) who just loves playing with old clocks.

Regards

Richard Willmott

Answer
sign up and post it here including the photos for more comments:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clocksgroup/

the book just has that description and the beat rate of 10628.57 BPH
or .338710


Ansonia T&S Rnd. Mov. w/Brocot Escapement. Rack and Snail on Back Plate Pat June 18, 1882

15 64    8   62 7  30  6
Ctr 3rd 3rd 4th 4th Esc Esc
Whl Whl Pin Whl Pin Whl Pin

you might check the tooth counts to confirm or if you have a Microset or such check the beat rate.