The statue and house are also very dirty from probably smoke since these clocks were often set on fireplace mantels.
Quite interesting how these things are made. The statue is in five parts, all separate castings. As the pictures show the clock house and statue are very tarnished. I was able to find a complete movement on EBAY and I’ll receive it in a few days. That was my main concern before disassembly to replace some of the chime train.
The clock has been running since this conversation started so I think the time works are all intact. I am trying to attach some pictures to this message which will show the pendulum system. Posts: 5 | Location: France | Registered: September 07, 2005 I can imagine if you are not careful winding the springs you might rotate the clock too much and stop the pendulum. The pendulum must hang down at just the right angle or the works will stop before 30 seconds. I have the works mounted on a piece of plywood and found it is very sensitive to rotation. Any thoughts about a synthetic line like fishing leader? Touchy is right. I am interested in your experience with different thread materials. After some playing around I have the time train working with a piece of what looks like waxed thread. I have the correct pendulum and identified the windup rod for the suspension thread. I have been trying to get the time drive working before I pull it apart hoping to identify all the problems at once. The chime drive has two pinions with missing teeth but I believe I will be able to cannibalize another movement for replacements. I am working with a Japy Freries, 85 mm diameter movement. Posts: 311 | Location: Berthoud, Colorado USA | Registered: December 08, 2002 Maybe that will help us to see what is going on. If you can, post a few pictures of the back of the movement and the pendulum. I do not expect to see it for a few months as its last visit was recent. If the clock were here, I could take a few pictures of it for you. It has a true blind man's strike as it sounds the quarters on one gong and repeats the hour count on another gong. The clock I have got to know so well is a Portico and very unique. The owner's grandson has been known to adjust the suspension to the point that the pendulum won't swing. When this happens the hands won't move because the pin tensions the hand "clutch." The hour hand also will slip on the tube and simply swing near the number six on the dial. I have one that shows up every few months because the pin in the hand shaft works itself loose. I have found these clocks to be very touchy and somewhat of a problem to keep running.
If that string coiling mechanism is missing, you are probably in trouble. I have found these clocks won't keep time as well as a regulator because there are too many faults built into that suspension system. There is usually some mechanism to wind the suspension string, thereby making the pendulum shorter or longer. Start with a length you feel is reasonable and adjust from there. The length will be determined by proper timekeeping. I prefer synthetic string as organic materials are prone to be attacked by bugs, rot, and so on. Something synthetic in the nature of heavy thread to very light string. I have used high quality, heavy thread for the suspension on these clocks. I think that silk was used because they did not have nylon, etc. The movement crutch usually encircles the pendulum shaft. The French silk string clocks I have worked on have had a hook on the top of the pendulum which attaches to a loop in the silk string.