Elgin Going Barrel Issue?

[Shamshir]

I am new to the watch repair. A new hobby (i hope). The mechanical aspects have been fascinating which led me to get my first pocket watch to attempt a repair. I have an Elgin 18, Grade 73, Model 5. It has a going barrel. Tore everything down, but the barrel, cleaned and replaced broken/worn escape wheel (top pivot was an issue). Inspected the barrel and it seems to have an intact mainspring, old, worn maybe needs to be replaced. For now left it as is. Putting it back together was a chore. When i go to wind it the entire barrel moves. There is no locking mechanism i can make out from diagrams etc. It appears the arbor should spin freely and wind the spring. The click and gear look to be functioning. Any advice? Thanks.

[MrRoundel]

Do you have access to something like the series from the Chicago School of Watchmaking? It has very good sections on pocket watches from the major American pocket watch makers. The pdf should be available somewhere for little or no cost. Here's a snippet from the part on going barrels. Is the click between the plates present and with spring? Good luck.

 

Edited August 4, 2022 by MrRoundel

[Shamshir]

Thanks for the info, i'll look for those documents. Yes the click and spring are present, located under the barrel.

[JohnR725]

Always nice to give us pictures so we know what you're talking about.

[Shamshir]

I'll see what i can get together as for images. Having read a little more, not sure if i am testing things correctly. When the watch didn't seem to work after reassembly, without canon pinion installed, i stripped it back down and just left the barrel and the center wheel. I did this because of the full bridge obscures the parts, therefore tried to get it out of the equation. I expected to see the barrel not move as i was winding it until some tension was built up. It started moving as i started turning the stem. Was my assumption wrong? Thanks for all the help.