Carriage clock restoration how do I fit the top glass ?

[wls1971]

I have been busy over the last few days with my latest Ebay purchase it's a Gorge case small carriage clock with platform cylinder escapement, it has no top glass in the case

And has by the looks of things been like that for many years I have found only two service marks on the clock usually you find loads on a clock of this age, one was dated 1953, all the other glass is in good condition and the dial is not too bad, but there was an abundance of rust and dirt to be found every where .

I have among other things re-bushed many of the pivot holes, drilled out the mainspring barrel arbor hole and fitted a brass bush it was so badly worn it almost touched the plate, cleaned the rust from the cylinder escapement, replaced a cracked bottom cap jewel on the balance, cleaned by hand the escape wheel pinion and teeth, cleaned out the cylinder, polished the pivots filed some down and burnished. it has been a real test of patience and I still have lots to do such as polish all the screws and blue( I have a new to me screw head polisher on the way ) replace the taper pins, polish and Lacquer the case.

But it is running again and I'm pleased with the amplitude of the balance but it needs putting in beat I have not been able to do anything with the hairspring so it looks quite dull.

I need to replace the glass at the top but don't know how it should be fixed in place. The inside top of the case is slightly tapered there are two screws under the handle these don't hold on the lugs into which the handles attach because these are part of the cast top, should there be a brass retainer ? is that what these screws are for. so  the glass goes in then a retaining ring holds it in place if so this is missing and I shall have to make one, I know a lot of old carriage clock glass was fixed with plaster of Paris at the edges but would this be enough to secure a top glass ?

[oldhippy]

That was in a right mess to start with. A good restoration and it is looking great. Answer to your question about the top glass. It should have a retainer made out of brass. That is what those screws are for.

[wls1971]

Thanks I thought it would be but its the first one piece case I have bought and looking at similar cases on the web it wasn't obvious how they should be held, I will order a new glass.

[Lenj]

Beautiful job, looks like one piece drocot carriage clock?? here is one that I found..

 

Len

[wls1971]

 

10 minutes ago, Lenj said:

Beautiful job, looks like one piece drocot carriage clock?? here is one that I found..

The clock is stamped on the base Brevete S.G.D.G  in a semi circle with the initials H.A this maker is listed in a carriage clock book I have as H.Acier who was operating in Paris in the 1860's to the 1890's not a prolific maker the movement of the clock is very nicely made its a quality clock a shame its a cylinder escapement.

[Lenj]

46 minutes ago, wls1971 said:

 

The clock is stamped on the base Brevete S.G.D.G  in a semi circle with the initials H.A this maker is listed in a carriage clock book I have as H.Acier who was operating in Paris in the 1860's to the 1890's not a prolific maker the movement of the clock is very nicely made its a quality clock a shame its a cylinder escapement.

Still a nice clock..Look out for a good lever platform of that period, there was one on Ebay that has now gone, they are often on there but go for silly money....

[Lenj]

On ‎08‎/‎06‎/‎2018 at 9:40 PM, wls1971 said:

I have been busy over the last few days with my latest Ebay purchase it's a Gorge case small carriage clock with platform cylinder escapement, it has no top glass in the case

And has by the looks of things been like that for many years I have found only two service marks on the clock usually you find loads on a clock of this age, one was dated 1953, all the other glass is in good condition and the dial is not too bad, but there was an abundance of rust and dirt to be found every where .

I have among other things re-bushed many of the pivot holes, drilled out the mainspring barrel arbor hole and fitted a brass bush it was so badly worn it almost touched the plate, cleaned the rust from the cylinder escapement, replaced a cracked bottom cap jewel on the balance, cleaned by hand the escape wheel pinion and teeth, cleaned out the cylinder, polished the pivots filed some down and burnished. it has been a real test of patience and I still have lots to do such as polish all the screws and blue( I have a new to me screw head polisher on the way ) replace the taper pins, polish and Lacquer the case.

But it is running again and I'm pleased with the amplitude of the balance but it needs putting in beat I have not been able to do anything with the hairspring so it looks quite dull.

I need to replace the glass at the top but don't know how it should be fixed in place. The inside top of the case is slightly tapered there are two screws under the handle these don't hold on the lugs into which the handles attach because these are part of the cast top, should there be a brass retainer ? is that what these screws are for. so  the glass goes in then a retaining ring holds it in place if so this is missing and I shall have to make one, I know a lot of old carriage clock glass was fixed with plaster of Paris at the edges but would this be enough to secure a top glass ?

"I know a lot of old carriage clock glass was fixed with plaster of Paris at the edges but would this be enough to secure a top glass ?" .................No would need to be retained with plate or tags and screws, if only plaster of Paris, cleaning the top glass with little pressure, glass could fall through and damage the escapement. Just my twopennyworth..

Len

[wls1971]

1 minute ago, Lenj said:

"I know a lot of old carriage clock glass was fixed with plaster of Paris at the edges but would this be enough to secure a top glass ?" .................No would need to be retained with plate or tags and screws, if only plaster of Paris, cleaning the top glass with little pressure, glass could fall through and damage the escapement. Just my twopennyworth.

Yes oldhippy pointed out a retaining ring is needed I shall have to fashion a retainer from brass

[Lenj]

15 hours ago, wls1971 said:

Yes oldhippy pointed out a retaining ring is needed I shall have to fashion a retainer from brass

Would be good to see how you do this..Help us fellow clockers out..