Thinking Of Buying Old Grandfather Clock. Value? Age?

[coinman123]

An antique shop has this clock for $190, though I think I might be able to get it for $160 or $170, based on previous experience there. I'm curious as to how much this clock is worth, if I am overpaying or not. I'm also curious as to how old it is, I read somewhere that brass faces predate 1770. It is listed as "AS-IS", though I think it might work.

 

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[A2coins]

I love Grand father clocks I know nothing about them but that one looks really cool. Plus how old some of them are is really cool too. Hope you get your answer!!!!!!

 

[Kray Gelder]

Coinman, I found this one that the cabinet is sooo close to yours. Liveauctioneers, listed as English 18th century. It has a different face, but the cabinet is nearly identical, including the lock plate. It sold for $600.

 

[rick67]

Even chime door bells are between 3 & 600 now. If of works, its a bargain IMO.

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

Nice piece there.

At that price, I'd but it even if it didn't work and have a horologist have a look at it.

 

[Simon1]

Maybe you can look inside it ? Many times they have a date of when it was in for service and this can possibly narrow it down a few decades. Nice old clock. Kray Gelder did a nice job in finding one that close.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Kray nailed this clock with his assertion that it's likely 18thc or early 19thc.
If the original works are still in place (not replaced with a modern movement) then this clock is worth a lot more then the $190.00 asking price.
I think it's important to compare the pic of your clock next to the example that Kray found, as they look darn close.

Let us know if you don't buy it... otherwise I'll drive down from Toronto and grab it!

 

[Timbermaster]

Nice piece there.

At that price, I'd but it even if it didn't work and have a horologist have a look at it.

Danged if I didn’t learn a new word today!

 

[Reverend B*IKE*]

I agree that it should have original movement or at least vintage works. I was once told by an horologist to stay away from movements that have the triple weights nothing but nightmares, and very hard to turn over. Look for double weights! The work movement on those older clocks can be straight forward so dont be afraid to see if it can be wound up and pendulum swings. and check for the chime mechanism or bells. I just added this info so you may have something more to bargain with, and a picture of the movement would be nice also.
PS if you go to any horologist for any work be ready to pay at least 2-3+ times what you pay for that clock.
PSS when you go into a hobby like this you must either know some fine woodworking to repair the case or know a little about watch/ clock repair to make it worth a profit just my .02 cents.
Good luck.

 

[coinman123]

I decided to buy it, $190, bringing it home tomorrow where I will follow up with more information. Everything is there, weights (It's a double weight clock), chain (attached to where it should go), pendulum etc, just laying on the bottom of the clock case. Original movement is there too. When I move the area where the pendulum should attach, the minute hand moves a little bit clockwise, which shows that the movement probably isn't frozen. The seller said he just bought it, and immediately put it for sale there, selling it AS-IS. I doubt that it works, considering how old it is, but it will certainly be a fun project anyway!

It also has rose head nails used to construct the cabinet, which suggests that it might be pre-1800.

Expect more photos tomorrow!

 

[coinman123]

The face says, "Benjamin Goldsmith" "Halsham". I figured that records of a Benjamin Goldsmith in Halsham Yorkshire should be pretty easy to find, but I haven't been able to find him so far.

 

[coinman123]

Also, looking at the movement also let me immediately identify the weird brass thing that I found metal detecting as the bell from an old grandfather clock. It's a 100% match to the brass item I found at a cellar hole!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Congratulations on your purchase coinman!
Sometimes all these movements need to get running again is a good cleaning and some fine machine oil.
I wouldn't suggest you attempt to do this yourself to save money, I'd be taking it to an experience clock repair shop.

If you plan on keeping this piece as a family heirloom, it'll be worth spending the money on having the job done properly.

Years ago I learned in having antiques restored... "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, just wait until you hire an amateur"!

Thanks for saving me the drive too,
Dave

 

[coinman123]

Well, I got it home and tried to set the weights and pendulum up. Surprisingly, it seems to work fine, except for the fact that the bells which chime every hour seem to be exactly three hours behind. For example, at 4 it will chime 1 time, 5 it will chime twice, etc. Not sure how to fix this, but other than that it keeps time really well.

 

[Hawks88]

That’s a bargain at that price for sue. Congrats

 

[Kray Gelder]

Well, I got it home and tried to set the weights and pendulum up. Surprisingly, it seems to work fine, except for the fact that the bells which chime every hour seem to be exactly three hours behind. For example, at 4 it will chime 1 time, 5 it will chime twice, etc. Not sure how to fix this, but other than that it keeps time really well.

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Congrats. Does it have an engraved face plate? Just curious.

 

[coinman123]

Congrats. Does it have an engraved face plate? Just curious.

Thanks! And yes, the brass face plate is engraved.

And also, it looks like it was serviced relatively recently, mechanism looks like it is in amazing condition. The bell also had modern material, cut from a mitten, taped onto the ringer, in order to make it quieter. My guess is that it was probably still in use fairly recently.

 

[Reverend B*IKE*]

Let's get some closer pictures of the movement and the faceplate if you feel like sharing. If the hands aren't keyed or slotted in place, you can sometimes readjust them to correct hour. Providing they are just slip fitted on. GL and congrats on a nice find.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

It looks amazing in your place... of course, it would've looked better in my place!
But I would still consider taking the movement to a clock specialist and have a service done.
For the amount of money you saved on the initial purchase, it's worth spending a bit more to have it inspected by a pro.

Dave

 

[Itsmine]

If I remember right, I think you have to keep moving the minute hand back and forth on the hour to get the clock back in sync with the correct hour. I had a cuckoo clock that had this problem. You have to move the minute hand back (counter clockwise) until you "trick " the movement, usually you'll feel the movement reset, then bring it to the top of the hour to chime. Keep doing that until the hour and chime are the correct time.If there's a different way to do this, I would love to hear it....