Expert: John Newman - 12/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi John,

I recently inherited this nice grandfather clock but haven't yet been able to
identify it yet. Would you be able to indicate the manufacturer and potentially
the decade when produced?

Thank you in advance for any help that you can offer.

Daniel

ANSWER: Daniel, the photo is rather dark and shows only about half of the case.  Is there a name on the dial?  Without seeing details of the clock, it generally looks like many of the thousands of floor clocks built over the ages.  It does have some similarities to a Colonial.  However, information on the back of the movement or a clear photo of the back of the movement might help.  If you have more than one photo you can send it to my shop email address below.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)

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

QUESTION: Hi John,

Thanks so much for your prompt response.

I see that the clock says "British Made" inside. I found an instruction manual
inside the piece that is titled "The Enfield Full Quarter Grandfather
Westminister Chime". Any idea whether the chime manufacturer is also the
manufacturer of the entire clock? Thoughts as to the period of the piece?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Regards,
Daniel  

Answer
Daniel, I believe the Enfield company was started around 1949,  If you will Google "Enfield Clock Company" you will find some history of the company.  That might help narrow down the era of your clock.  They probably did not make the chime assembly, as it was probably manufactured by a company that specialized in that product.  Generally, and this does vary over the years of clock manufacturing, clock companies would build clocks using varied components from other companies.  Some companies buy movements, dials, pendulums weights, chime assemblies and cases from other companies, assemble them and put their name on them.  If enough movements are ordered, the movement manufacturers will put the company name on them.  Some make the cases and order the other components from different companies.  As a sidebar, compare that to movie companies.  Next time you watch a movie, check the production and distribution companies in the credits.  It is rather confusing.  I do hope this helps a little.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama