Malfunctioning Jerome & Co. Mantel Clock - Despite Desire to Function, Remains Inoperable Today
In June 2019, a Jerome & Co. time and strike mantel clock joined its new home, acquired as part of a small package deal with other mantel clocks. This round top clock, dating from the mid to late 1870s, has been a fascinating addition to the collection, despite a few challenges.
Upon its arrival, no new purchases of clocks were made during the trip to the west. The clock, in its exceptional case with a small age crack at the 11 o'clock position, was ready for its first inspection. Its labels, one behind the mirrored tablet and the other on the backboard, provided some initial clues about its history.
However, the article does not mention any specific examples of clocks found in better quality antique shops on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Instead, the focus was on addressing the clock's issues to restore its proper functioning.
Common problems with old mechanical clocks include inaccurate timekeeping, unusual or loud ticking, stuck or sluggish hands, worn or broken gears, and corrosion or physical damage. To tackle these issues, the clock's parts were cleaned, rinsed, dried, and laid out for further inspection.
Nine bushings were installed on the movement: S2 & S3 front plate, minute wheel front plate, T2, T3, T4 front plate, T4 and escape wheel, front and back plate. Despite these adjustments, the clock's second wheel was found to be bent, causing it to stop.
The movement of the clock was in poor condition, with several bushings required and bad pivot wear in several locations. The clock movement was reassembled, but it currently experiences two issues: the strike side mainspring refuses to hook correctly on its arbour, and an erratic beat that drifts in and out of beat and stops after about 5 minutes.
Further testing and reporting of findings will be done in the next post. The clock's dial, an early replacement, guarantees reliable time-keeping once the issues are resolved. The worst pivot wear is on the T3 back plate, escape wheel front and back, and S3 front plate.
In summary, restoring proper function in old mechanical clocks involves inspecting for wear or damage, cleaning and lubricating the movement regularly, adjusting timing, and replacing worn or broken components as needed. In some cases, a full mechanism replacement may be the most practical solution. Stay tuned for more updates on the Jerome & Co. time and strike mantel clock's repair journey.
[1] Common Clock Repair Issues and Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.clockworks.com/blog/common-clock-repair-issues-and-solutions/
[2] Clock Repair: A Beginner's Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/clock-repair-1398123
[3] How to Repair an Antique Clock. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-an-Antique-Clock
[4] Antique Clock Repair: A Comprehensive Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.antiqueclockrepair.com/antique-clock-repair/
[5] The Escapement: The Heart of a Mechanical Clock. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/112106055/module2/lecture12/Lecture12.pdf
- Recently, the collection expanded to include a Jerome & Co. vintage mantel clock, but future acquisitions of clocks, such as smart-home devices or gadgets, might lean towards technology rather than antique pieces.
- Although the trip to Vancouver Island didn't yield discoveries of high-quality antique shops with valuable mantel or vintage clocks, the collection continues to grow with unique pieces like the Jerome & Co. time and strike mantel clock.
- To complement the collection, one could consider adding smart-home devices like digital clocks that provide accurate timekeeping while embracing modern technology, offering electronic solutions to counter some of the common problems found in old mechanical clocks.
