Expert: Michael Radi - 12/19/2011

Question
My husband came home with a cuckoo clock and said (its old thought you would like it)I looked at it and said were is the rest of it? The weights are gone and I now that their are different ponds. I have now Idea Of the age of the clock but it has paint on the leaves and  the birds. The number on the back is 100/171/28 it dose say cuckoo clock MFG.INC. The hour hand is bent and some of the hour numbers are missing.I know most of these clocks have a decorative piece on the top of the clock and I can see were their are little pieces were this would have been .this is also missing . This clock needs some help !I would like to find the pieces for this clock can you help ?

Answer
There are suppliers for these parts but unless you really love this clock it may not be worth purchasing the parts. The clock may or may not run without professional service. You could buy the weights and test it. I'm guessing the pendulum is missing too. Pendulums are about $10.00. The weights probably weigh 320 grams each (if it is a one day clock). If it's an 8 day clock the weights might be 1000 to 1300 grams each. 320 gram weights are about $10.00 each, heavier weights are in the $16.00 range each.
The top decorative piece will be hard to match. The new ones have a glossy finish and the colors may not even be close. Older cuckoo clock cases were hand carved. Now they are done by machine and the look is very different.
You may need bellow tops too. Cuckoo clocks are novelty clocks. They are not made of high quality materials. The movement may need anything from oiling, adjusting to a complete overhaul.
If you want to take on the project I can help you further. You are probably looking at about $50 for enough parts to put it together and see if it works. If there is a clock repair shop near you I suggest you take it in and get an estimate. Some repair persons are nice enough and will honestly tell you what it needs. Others won't even work on cuckoos or will throw out a really high figure.