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Thread: 1950's Smith Enfield Clock

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    Default 1950's Smith Enfield Clock

    Thought I might start a new thread being the only person thats starts threads in here

    I was having a flashback the other day back to when I was around 8 or so and my grandparents had a clock that tick tocked loudly and chimed every half hour and chimed the number of the hour on the hour. I remember my grandfather used to wind it every sunday.

    Anyway, while in a nostalgic mood I ventured on to ebay to find myself one. I found this one which is very similar to the one they had and appears to be in very good condition so I bought it I hope the missus likes bells.....







    Its a Smiths Enfield model made in the UK. Enfield were a seperate company until Smiths bought them out in the early 30's but continued to keep their own identity until they were fashioned as Smiths Enfield from about 1950. I would date this clock at about that date.

    Before someone asks, 87 pound I could have bought one cheaper, but preferred this one due to its condition.

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    Default Clocks

    So you like Clocks, here's some that iv'e made a few years back.









    Last edited by toyboy11; 16-05-12 at 04:32 PM.

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    Same here Sanity!

    About 15 years ago I went looking for a mantle clock like the one my Grandfather had. Problem was I only had vague memories of what it looked like and the one I found in a 2nd hand store may or may not be similar. It sounds the same though, 1/4 hour chimes with Westminster chimes on the hour.

    It stopped working a while ago, but was and easy fix after searching the internet. It needed putting back into beat so that it had an even tic-toc. It keeps pretty good time too. The one I got has a quite old German Hermle movement. The markings are FHS for Franz Hermle and Shon. So it was before the mid-50's, there are no other date identifiers.

    Here is a picture of a similar clock, although this one's face numbers are a bit more art deco than mine.


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    Quote Originally Posted by toyboy11 View Post
    So you like Clocks, here's some that iv'e made a few years back. A couple more added.










    Last edited by toyboy11; 17-05-12 at 01:27 PM.

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    Back into the very early 70's my Great Aunt had a clock like the one ssrattus shows with the full 'Westminster' chimes that could be turned off completely or just sound the Hour, 1/4 and 1/2 with a single chime.
    I have no idea how old the clock was but I saw it from when I visted her as a toddler.
    I coverted that clock and always hoped I could get it after she passed away, that along with 3 small elephants carved in Ivory dated from the 1920's she bought in Colombo (now Sri Lanka) when she sailed to OZ from the UK (1923) along with my Mother and G'Mother but they were just literaly cleared out as 'Deceased Esate' by her son who'se head was up his arse as nor being 'Posh' enough to suit his tastes.
    Its her clock I hear chiming now every time I hear the full 'Westminster' chimes.

    The size and shape of the clock is immaterial to me as it all depends on the richness and strength of the chimes ringing out.
    Last edited by gordon_s1942; 21-05-12 at 08:30 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post

    The size and shape of the clock is immaterial to me as it all depends on the richness and strength of the chimes ringing out.
    Well the Grandfather Clock that iv'e shown gives you the choice of 3 Chimes Westminster, ST Micheals and Whittington and you can set it to switch off at 10.15 pm and start at 7.15 am in the morning or if you want completey silent.

    Only the best Hermle Movements.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post
    The size and shape of the clock is immaterial to me as it all depends on the richness and strength of the chimes ringing out.
    Yep it was the sound I most longed for, I remembered it so well, laying in bed when it was quiet and just hearing the chimes.

    When my Grandmother died, my Grandfather had died a few years earlier, my Mum's sister cleaned out her place. Luckily I got a barometer, my Grandfather used to tap the glass when he checked it daily. He was a farmer.

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    A pic of my 1940's clock i purchased it about 20 years ago for $40 at the local trash&treasure a friend that is a clock maker estimated the age to 1945 ish

    It is still working to day i reckon that a lot of clocks and watches made today won't last 70 years. My $200 digital watch only lasted 3 years.

    SS Dave




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    I recently had this clock rebuilt. The 8 day movement was down to about 2 days. I found a bloke in the local paper and he charged me $150. He had it 6 weeks, rebuilt the whole assembly, ran it and them made any adjustments etc and polished it as well. It now looks and runs a million dollars....$150 is a bargain as far as I am concerned. It probably wont need another rebuild for at least another 60 years.

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    I probably should do the same, time to start searching for clock repairman.

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    Reading this thread is making me twitch. My grandparents had such a clock on a small table in the hallway. Damn it was loud. The sound of that 'thing' is still incredibly vivid in my mind such was the impact it had on my sleep when I stayed as a kid. Having said that, I do appreciate the artistry and skill that goes into making and maintaining such a device. Sadly, a skill that like many others will soon be a distant memory to society.
    Last edited by Drift; 22-04-14 at 04:05 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ssrattus View Post
    I probably should do the same, time to start searching for clock repairman.
    It took me quite a while to find one. I spotted his ad in the local paper and ripped it out, then lost it. And wouldnt you know it, he stopped advertising for 6 months. I was lucky enough to find it again. He is the only one down here as far as he knows.

    Quote Originally Posted by Drift View Post
    Reading this thread is making me twitch. My grandparents had such a clock on a small table in the hallway. Damn it was loud. The sound of that 'thing' is still incredibly vivid in my mind such was the impact it had on my sleep when I stayed as a kid. Having said that, I do appreciate the artistry and skill that goes into making and maintaining such a device. Sadly, a skill that like many others will soon be a distant memory to society.
    Mine was quite a loud ticker but since the rebuild it is much much quieter. I am thinking that maybe they get louder as they head towards needing service, possibly due to lack of lubrication ?

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    Does anyone know how often they are meant to be serviced ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by admin View Post
    Does anyone know how often they are meant to be serviced ?
    All clocks should be oiled every 5 years with a special oil.

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    Many years ago I bought a very small bottle of oil from a jewelery shop to use on a Model Railway locomotive as that what was recommended for use on the bearings.
    I have to say I was surprised how thick and oily it was and it picked up dust which I didnt think would be very good in a precision instrument like a watch or clock.
    I think it was supposed to be a 'Fish Oil' but I dont remember it having any discernible odour at all.

    They didnt really want to sell me the bottle of oil so I wondered later if they fobbed me off with something like the old 'Singer Sewing Machine Oil', a good product but not what I wanted.
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    CRC spray lube should do.

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    Clocks need to be dismantled and all bearings and moving parts cleaned otherwise the old scum acts like an abrasive and will destroy the clockwork over time if you just oil it. That is if you want it to last 60 years or more running constantly.
    Clock oil must only be used and very, very little of it, otherwise it will attract dust that will make things abrasive again.
    It is applied to the bearings with a tool that resembles a slightly flattened needle. Oiling the escapement is critical.

    How often it needs oiling depends on how well sealed it is. 10 years should be OK if it was professionally done and the clockwork is inside a closed cabinet.

    I have cheated with some old cheaper clockworks by just cleaning/washing the bearings with electronic cleaner spray and ear buds to soak up the scum, without taking the drive train apart and then careful oiling.

    One 8 day weight driven clockwork I got for $10 on a flea market over 20 years ago, I use outside, had mud wasps and geckos living in it. The only thing that might stop it occasionally is wind on the pendulum. That get one gets the spray cleaner/oil treatment every 2-3 years.
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    Certainly not recommended on precision parts but a workmate told me when his very el cheapo alarm clock played up he dipped the works in Kerosene, let it drain off then sprayed the mechanism with WD40.
    I did try it and it worked for me but the the clock was one of them gaudy things you saw at Market Stalls etc and sold for a few dollars so I dont think the mechanism was too precision made.
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    I have a mantle clock that has seen better days, would love to have it restored. Needs a new glass which, I suspect, will be the biggest problem. Any ideas on restoration costs, it hasn't run for years?

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    Default Re: 1950's Smith Enfield Clock

    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    I have a mantle clock that has seen better days, would love to have it restored. Needs a new glass which, I suspect, will be the biggest problem. Any ideas on restoration costs, it hasn't run for years?
    Post 9.

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