mrxmttr

[mrxmmttrmr]

American cuckoo clock bellows material. The clock is probably from the 1920s, the bellows material appears to be paper but not sure. I would like to keep the clock as original as possible so tyvek is out. Does not appear to be leather. Should I be looking for rice paper and if so any special type? Thanks

[watchweasol]

Hi the origioal would have been Velum (fine leather) whether you can get hold of it now I dont know as most are replaced using tyvek.  Velum is soft and a pale buff colour, tyvek could be dyed using coffee/tea to blend in or I read somewhere that some envelopes are of a tyvek type and already coloured.   A Resrorer In America recomends kid skin he gets it from Columbia leather co  which I suppose is more common than Velum/parchment.

[mrxmmttrmr]

Thanks for the input. Maybe i'm just spinning my wheels here but I feel like tyvek in this clock would be a mistake. I have been looking into leather. Oddly though the original material seems like paper. Anyway, thanks for the reply

[watchweasol]

Hi it may well be cartridge paper and had been replaced before at some point but depending on the age of the clock back in the 1800s they used either Velum or skin. Its a case of your preference as you are the one doing the job .

[oldhippy]

Kid skin is another one to use.  

[mrxmmttrmr]

I appreciate the replies. Probably going to go with the leather option. have not figure out how to date this clock yet, i"m thinking late 1800s. Still searching the internet

[oldhippy]

I will need to see the whole case and the back plate of the movement. 

[mrxmmttrmr]

Hope these are helpful. I did find it amusing that my American Cuckoo Clock Co. clock has a movement made in Germany but I guess they were and still are the experts.

Thanks again for all of the help.

[oldhippy]

I would say the hands are certainly original, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are made of ivory, if they are thick then it would be yes. The plates are cast brass and not of the rubbish that you see in modern cuckoo clock movements. Another thing it has a count wheel strike, also a sign of the old type of movement, modern types have rack striking. The wood is from the lime tree which is favored in Germany. Not only is the movement German but the case also. A very basic shape of pendulum which is original. It is 30 hour duration. Dates from around the 1890.  

[mrxmmttrmr]

I appreciate the description. I is a nice looking clock and I feel happy to have acquired it. 

[KarlvonKoln]

Real vellum source below, if you're interested:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325070877423?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1rEmDWv51S4yUOsscu_WnAA18&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=325070877423&targetid=1599090335417&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9016165&poi=&campaignid=15275224983&mkgroupid=131097072938&rlsatarget=pla-1599090335417&abcId=9300697&merchantid=6296724&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcOTBhCZARIsAEAYLuWTV4ffQhdfIU8Akd9aRkJGs2Vz3QoaWXLxO-ElT3aiK6q6tSCHfz4aApLrEALw_wcB

[mrxmmttrmr]

Thanks for the link Karlvonkoln.