16th Century Tower Clock Project

This is a 16th Century clock from Augsburg, Germany. I'm not sure of the maker, but there are several inscriptions on wheels with dates of when repairs were made. This originally had a crown wheel escapement with either a folio (maybe) or a crown wheel with long pendulum escapement (likely) I still have the original crown wheel. The pinwheel escapement was added in 1857 or at least that is the date that is inscribed on the brass with the name of the repairman. It was in pretty poor condition when I received it, but I have worked on it for several months, painted the wheels and now it runs very well, and keep fairly accurate time. The largest chime barrel and wheel has a diameter of 38 inches!
I plan to restore this clock and maybe have it keeping time on a face in my shop. It is a very large and interesting clock. People love to watch it, because of the large wheels they can understand exactly how a clock works.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 16th
• century
• tower
• clock

[towerclock1843]

Well you don't just walk into antique stores and find these thing...... ;o)

I have actually had a couple shipped over from Europe and usually that cost more than the clock itself.

But they still can be found, just not that often. Thanks for looking.

[pennyf9]

nice! you should find a bell and make a clock tower on your shop!

[towerclock1843]

I already have one clock on the barn, don't think the wife will go for two, but its worth a try! ;o)

[clockguy2]

Nice clock Dan. Where does that count wheel down on the side go? Looks to be wound from the ends?

[towerclock1843]

Thanks, I have got to get back to working on this thing. It is just huge and HEAVY! The large count wheel goes internally in between the 2 trains. It's really a very interesting clock to watch in action. It was in pretty poor shape when I acquired, but I plan to get it looking pretty good when I'm finished. It was originally wound by capstain (long handles coming out of winding drum) it was updated I believe in the 1800 to the wheel with the crank.

Thanks

[philclock]

Oh dear ,what is that four a painting ?

[towerclock1843]

Not sure what you mean, but I have only re-painted the wheels. They had been painted green in the past. I plan to paint the frame black very soon. The frame had been painted orange at some point in time but I am painting it black. Do you think you could help me with the maker? I have a couple of names marked on the wheels if that would help. Your videos are great!

Thanks

Dan

[stevenps49]

I love these old, big, loud clocks. Any chance you want to part with one project? Where do you get these things, anyway?

Thanks for sharing

stevenps49

[irkibby]

I love these big old clocks with huge frames. Unfortunately they are quite rare in English towers... a hell of a lot of them got replaced with flatbed movements in the late 19th/early 20th century

[pennyf9]

tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock...... I could listen to that all day!

[pennyf9]

@towerclock1843 find a chiming bell!

[carcano38]

great sounding clockworks, and best of all, no music was added to the video.