Expert: Michael Radi - 2/2/2009

Question
This is an odd question. I'm sorry. I'm writing a book set in 1923. There's a scene in a lawyer's office.  I wanted to give him a nice clock, but I didn't want it to be too new. I found a picture of a 1880 E.N Welch Cary model rosewood shelf clock on-line.  I think it'll do the job, but I need to know if it makes any sounds.  It looks like there's a pendulum so I assumed it would chime, but I don't know for sure.  Could you tell me if it would make any other sounds, like ticking? Or is that a more modern thing?  Thanks so much.

Answer
The clock would make a tick every time the pendulum swings each direction. The tick would be fairly fast (as far as clock ticking goes) because it is based on the pendulum length. I would guess that am EN Welch shelf clock would beat about 120 to 130 times per minute.
If the clock has two winding holes it would at least gong out the hours. Some of them also rang a bell or gong once on the half hour.
Let me know if you need more info.
I would love to read the section of the book that you have the clock in. If you would like you can run the part about the clock by me and I can tell you if the description is accurate.
Michael