Is this case correct

[Marty]

Evening All

I spotted this clock up for auction but noticed the hinges are on the wrong side or at least not the usual side. I recently purchased a wall clock by John Walker of 63 New Bond Street, London I later discovered it is a fake, principally on the fact that the hinges are on the wrong side, this got me thinking about this Longcase clock, but then again would any body fake such a heavily carved case. What do you learned people think.

Many thanks

Marty

Edited May 8, 2021 by Marty

[rodabod]

It’s quite hard to tell with very old items - hardware can fail and be replaced over hundreds of years. I’d perhaps ask for photos of the inside, where the old hinges would have attached, if you think that may be the case. 

[oldhippy]

To start with this is a very old by the looks of the dial and the movements single hand. No key holes so it tells me this is a 30 hour movement that could have a continuous rope or chain on a single weight by means of power.  The gaps between the dial and hood look suspicious, this normally tells me the cheeks that the seet board sits on have been altered. The top of the hood looks as if it is not central to the hood or is it the camera shot? This could be a marriage, that is when a case and movement never started out together, this happens a lot.   Most Longcase clocks have had some sort of alterations done to them. Until I see the inside with the hood removed and look at the movement and how the movement lines up with the dial , there are many other things I need to check before giving my judgement. Don't commit yourself just yet. 

[Marty]

Hi OH and Rodabod

The auction description states 18 century "and Later" so i had assumed the case isn't original. Of all the longcase clocks i have only one i believe is not a marriage. The auction is on Tuesday so going to try and get a look tomorrow and try and get some photos.

[Marty]

Decided not to go for this one. The date change wheel seems to be at a strange angle (circled in red), but mainly the case was riddled with woodworm removing the the hood i could have put my fingers straight through, the actual case didn't seem as bad but didn't have time to give it a good going over.

[oldhippy]

Just looking at the photos looks like you have parts from more than one movement, looks like one of the dial posts has been bent to fit, if so the dial is from a different clock. If I was at an auction and I saw this I would give it a wide berth. 

[Marty]

Hi OH, I didn't bid on it, i have bid sight unseen before and been lucky but since retiring I generally have time to visit the auctions. 

Thanks for your time OH much appreciated