Tinkering with a 3-train Girod clock mechanism: Although enjoyable it isn't, the final outcome proves gratifying.
In the realm of antique timepieces, finding a solution to common adjustment challenges for a specific model can often be a daunting task. This is especially true for a 3-train Girod Westminster chime mantel clock, as there are no relevant search results addressing the unique issues that arise with this particular model.
However, understanding the general challenges that come with such clocks can provide valuable insight. For instance, synchronizing the three trains—timekeeping, chime, and strike—is crucial to ensure they work in harmony without jamming or running out of sync. Proper chime sequence and timing, as well as regulating the pendulum for accurate time, are also essential adjustments. Moreover, avoiding gear train binding or excessive wear necessitates precise lubrication and cleaning to prevent sticking or uneven running.
The mantel clock in question is a Sessions Westminster A, manufactured between 1903 and 1933 in Forestville, Conn. It is worth noting that the Fleet Time Company of Montreal, active between 1936 and an unspecified end date, also produced this model. The specific clock in discussion is a Westminster chime mantel clock with a Girod movement, manufactured after the war years, presumably in the late 1940s. Interestingly, the movement has a Canadian-made case.
The movement of this clock uses a split back plate design, making servicing simpler than the classical one plate design. It features five hammers, four for the Westminster chime and three for the top-of-the-hour strike. The movement is a conventional design, with a dedicated gear train for each function: the centre train is the time, the left train is the strike, and the right is the chime.
Working on a 3-train clock is a unique challenge and takes pre-planning to ensure a positive result. Some specific adjustments for this clock include putting the movement into warning, ensuring the gathering pallet clears the rack, orienting the star wheel, adjusting the stop hook, and ensuring the drum high points are in the correct position for the chime sequence.
Restoring the clock's cabinet to its former glory requires only simple de-greasing. After re-assembly, adjustments can be made externally. Despite its complexity, this American tambour style time, strike, and chime clock remains a fascinating find in the world of antique clocks. Its pendulum movement, predating mantel clocks with balance wheel escapements that arrived in the 1950s, adds to its historical significance.
The clock's origins can be traced back to Girod, a clockmaker based in the Morbier-Jura region of France, founded by brothers Leon and Auguste Girod. The Girod movement, a testament to the craftsmanship of its time, continues to captivate clock enthusiasts today.
- For enthusiasts of vintage clocks, the Sessions Westminster A, a mantel clock produced between 1903 and 1933, is a fascinating find in the world of antique timepieces.
- A unique challenge when working on a 3-train Girod Westminster chime mantel clock is ensuring the drum high points are in the correct position for the chime sequence.
- In antique clocks, maintaining a pet-friendly lifestyle can be difficult due to the delicate nature of vintage items like the Sessions Westminster A mantel clock.
- For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, shopping for home-and-garden items may yield a charming addition, such as a mantel clock like the Sessions Westminster A, to complement their living spaces.
- When embarking on a travel adventure, one might stumble upon local antique shops offering an array of intriguing objects, such as the Sessions Westminster A mantel clock, that epitomize the allure of old-world craftsmanship, much like the Girod movement.
