Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/25/2008

Question
My wife brought home a nice grandmother clock but I cannot find the switch to turn on the chime. I checked under the weights as directed by the on line setup directions. I also have felt around the clock works, no dice. There are no locations on the face. I know there is a chime on this clock. Thanks

Answer
Hi Mark,

Many longcase clocks do not have a chime shut-off. Yours may be one of them, and the chime might not be working.

If a chime shut-off is not located on the dial, it may be strings hanging down from the movement on the right and left sides of the case (which hook onto hooks on the inside sides of the case), or it may be accessible only from the side openings or back opening of the case. In this last case, the shut-off would most likely be a lever on the back movement plate, which you can move to lift the chime hammers up and away from the chime rods. If you cannot find any of these mechanisms, your clock probably does not have a chime shut-off.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com