Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/7/2010

Question
I recently purchased a used Wuersch nautical clock with a ship's bell strike pattern.  The clock runs and keeps good time, but the strike pattern is off: whenever there should be an odd number of strikes, I get the the next larger even number, althought the number of bells for even numbered strikes is correct.  For example, 1 bell is two bells, two bells is also two bells, 3 bells is four bells, and four bells is also four bells, etc.  Also, the striking train is unreliable, in that often the strikes just don't occur.  Are these problems likely to be cured by cleaning and oiling?  I'm reluctant to disassemble the movement unless absolutely necessary, but I do have an ultrasonic bath and could try that route first.  Thanks in advance for your advice.

Regards,

Jon

Answer
there is a lever that catches the hammer to prevent the second bell of a pair from actually hitting the bell--thus producing the odd number --perhaps the lever is miss-adjusted or the hammer is too close to the bell and need to be bent on its wire arm further away from the bell?

if the lever is working and you watch closely- the second swing of the hammer head when the odd number is called for, will be not as close to the bell.


what are the stamped markings on the back of the mechanism?