Anniversaryclocks.org Suspension Wire and Suspension Unit Identification Service

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400 Day mechanical clock identification request form

Simply fill out the following information, to the best of your ability, and we'll get back to you. It's totally free, we won't share your email address with anyone else and we won't send you any spam. Why do we do this? Because the volunteers are interested in these clocks, and we learn a little from each and every request. If, when you get your reply, you'd be kind enough to email us some photos of your clock, we'd appreciate that. It will also assist others like you in the future.

Why so many questions? We are trying to identify a model of a clock made by many different factories over a period of over 100 years, and most of these companies no longer exist.

It is vital that you answer all the questions as accurately as you can, or we may not be able to identify your clock. They don't involve any clockmaking skills, just a ruler. If you don't fully understand a question, click on the link in the question.
If we can identify your clock, we will reply within 5 working days with details of the wire and/or suspension it uses. You may get considerably more information than just the wire etc, depending on the information we have in our database.
The information we supply will be from records from various reliable sources, but we cannot be held responsible if the wire or suspension proves unsuitable.

There is no charge for this service, but incomplete requests will not be processed, and you may not get a reply at all if you don't answer all the questions. Please remember that it is run by volunteers.

WE ONLY ACCEPT REQUESTS VIA THIS FORM.

About you:
Your full name:

E-mail address: (if you get this wrong, you will not receive your reply!)

About your clock:
The width of the backplate, at the widest point, to the nearest millimetre mm
The height of the backplate, at the widest point, to the nearest millimetre: mm
The inside gap or distance between the front and back plates, to the nearest millimetre: mm

Is the shape of the backplate Rectangular Circular Like a T-shirt/Vest With legs Other, such as rectangular with curved or pointed top

Does the backplate have two inspection holes to enable you to see the escape wheel? Yes No

Is the pendulum 2-balls 3-balls 4-balls A flat disc Other (Dancers etc)

The height of the pallet arbor is normally adjustable on the backplate. Which method does yours use?

Eccentric nut Adjustable arm Moveable bracket Unadjustable

Does your clock have Pin Pallets, or a Dead Beat escapement?

Pin Pallet escapement Dead Beat escapement

When viewed from the back, which side of the plate is the winding arbor on?

Left Right

On early models, the pendulum simply hung on a wire. During transport the pendulum often broke the dome, so manufacturets added locking devices to secure the balls.. Which locking device does yours use?

None, the pendulum just hangs free A screw or lever beneath the base A lever beneath the platform A lever above the platform

Often the same movement was used in different clocks, and sometimes these clocks were different heights. To compensate for the change in suspension length, different wires were used. We need you to measure from the upper surface of the base to beneath the platform the movement sits on. If it doesn't sit on a platform, measure to the bottom of the plates, in millimetres:

What words (not numbers) are stamped on the backplate?
What logo is stamped on the backplate?

Please tell us about the dome. If it is missing, try to estimate the original size using the groove it fits in as the diameter.

Dome height in mm:
Dome diameter in mm: (If it is a rectangle or lantern shape, please explain below.


Would you be able to email a photo of the backplate if needed? Yes No (Photos are a great help, not just to you, but to others in the future)

Finally, if there is anything else STAMPED ON THE BACKPLATE, or info that you think might be useful, please tell us here:

Thank you. Remember, if you don't answer these questions accurately, we may be unable to identify your clock..


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