Buying
longcase clocks or Grandfather clocks as they are more commonly
known gives us an opportunity to purchase one of the very few actual
working pieces of antique furniture, so you should be aware that
buying a longcase clock that doesn't actually work can represent
significant risk.
With their mechanical movements which have most probably been around
for hundreds of years and have been subject to too much servicing
and probably some repair or alteration it would be wise for you
to acquire some knowledge or Horological experience before you hand
over your hard earned cash. Even for anybody with the proper knowledge,
buying a longcase clock that is not working, represents a tremendous
gamble.
 There
are a number of things that can make a clock movement stop working,
points that are not so obvious when taking your first casual look.
It takes just a small amount of wear on the pivots and pinions to
alter the depth of the train which will stop the clock and ensure
the movement needs a complete strip down and resulting in a major
repair.
The pallets on the escapement could be at the wrong depth or worn
which is not always seen by the untrained eye and at today's repair
prices done by a reputable clock repairer, these problems could
cost hundreds of pounds.
So if you do not have the adequate skills or knowledge find someone
who has, it will save you hundreds of pounds in the long run and
remember all clocks running or not need close scrutiny before purchasing.
After making sure there is no major surgery
needed to the movement and dial take a good look at the overall
appearance of the clock case. Look for parts missing or damaged,
i.e. the correct feet or plinth are there and the base has not
been cut down to fit into a room with a low ceiling. The same
goes for the pediment or the top of the case hood. Look for any
veneers or stringing that may be missing or loose and check fret
work on the hood to see that it is not damaged. Check the polish
or finish of the case looking for cracking or splitting caused
by shrinkage or exposure to direct sunlight. Although these can
be small jobs, the cost of restoration can mount up and increase
your overall investment
Look for any pieces of the clock furniture missing
or damaged, the brass or wooden finials that should be on the
top of the hood, hinges to the trunk and hood doors are working
correctly. Check escutcheons and locks, if any, and hood pillar
caps.
Take a good look at the case hood and make sure
it fits onto the case correctly and check the dial mask fits correctly
around the dial, any gaps or overlapping is a sure sign of a marriage,
this could be where some unscrupulous dealer has put a movement
into another case.
Take off the hood and inspect the trunk cheeks.
This is the top part of the trunk where the movement's seat board,
the piece of timber the movement is fastened to, sits on the trunk.
Check nothing has been altered or blocks have not been added,
this to can be a sign of a marry up (wrong movement in the wrong
case).
Open the trunk door and take a look at the back
board, about the height were the pendulum bob is situated, and
have a look for scratch marks made buy the pendulum indicating
an ill-fitting movement, once again a sure sign of possible alterations.
Remember, It is always best to be on the safe side and buy from
a reputable clock dealer if your knowledge on this subject is a
little sparse.
Buying from any auction or from some well meaning, honest retired
old couple with all their reassurances that the clock has been in
the family since it was salvaged from Noah when he decommissioned
the ark and has been running ever since, could appear to be a bargain,
but it will almost certainly cost you three times as much in repairs
and restoration. So be careful.
from an original article by Barry Share the proprietor of Riversdale
Clocks.
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