Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 3/15/2008

Question
Hello, I have just received a mantle clock that had belonged to my father.  I can see it has a couple of things wrong, and am attempting to research if it is repairable, or if it requires a clock shop.  I do not know what brand of clock it is.  

It is a sloping mantle clock, not one of the boxes.  The face has regular numbers not roman numerals, and there are three holes in the face.  A small hole by the 12, and larger holes by the 4 and the 8.  I have a double ended key that matches the holes.  Inside the mechanics of the clock the marking on a bar that seems to hold the pendulum says "?TAPRL 281896".  The pendulum weight is strange and appears to be a heavy stone or unpolished and unfinished metal.  The only markings on the face is "S" and "F" near the 12, and "Made in United States of America" below the 6.

I can advance the hands and it chimes.  Only one of the hammers actually "dings" the other "thunks".  It chimes in random numbers (ie 2,11,3,7) It appears that the coil of metal inside is touching the rod that the "thunking" hammer strikes.  The only other item is the pendulum does not swing freely, but drags the bottom of the case.

Do you know or have info to determine a brand of clock?  Are the above items repairable by someone other than a clock shop? Is this worth repairing, or is it just ornamental due to the issues?

What are the three holes for? I assume one of them winds it, but what are the other two- especially the small one?  Any advice and assistance/repair info would be greatly appreciated. If you need additional info, or photos please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for your time and assistance.  
Sincerely,
Alicia C

Answer
  It should have a letter logo or something else on the (paper) dial?? If not it will have something on the front brass plate of the movement after it is removed from the clock. That is "Pat. April 28, 1896" indication it was made after 1896 sometime. Does the pendulum weight hang from the front side of the movement or the rear?

  The small hole by the 12 is for the Fast - Slow adjustment of the timekeeping of the mechanism and is turned by the small end of the key.

Left front larger winder powers the hour strike and and the right side keeps the clock ticking. Both sides need to be wound up tightly to power the clock properly.
 Is there a small 2" diameter brass bell mounted on the back of the mechaism?
  pendulum should not of course drag the bottom- perhaps the upper end became detached from the proper place in the mechanism.
  Probably worth more to you than anyone else in the world - because it was your Dad's.  And most are worth repairing for this reason alone. Probably less than $300 on the open market if running properly. Can you post a Digital photo to your reply on this AllExpert form?

  It is very repairable by a pro for sure. advise....