Pictures

Phillip Barnes & Co. Half-column and Splat With Wooden Movement, 1836-37

This clock is was acquired at a local estate auction on June 29, 2015. No information is available concerning previous owners or the history of this clock after it was made. It is a typical Half-column and Splat With a "terry style" Wooden Movement. The maker of the movement has not been determined but it was not likely made by Barnes. Phillip Barnes & Co. appears to have been in business in Bristol, Conn. from 1936 to 1837 and probably did not produce a great number of clocks.

Most of main parts of the clock appear to be original or at least period. The glass has probably been replaced. The tablet appears to be a hand colored lithograph and may be as old or nearly as old as the clock but it likely is not original to the clock but I cant be sure. The face fits the clock and is probably original. It is interesting that this clock has a coiled gong which was a very new concept in 1837. The base was removed to check for other mounting holes and there are none, and the label is light exactly under the gong base so I believe it is original to this clock. The wooden movement had a cut out slit in the upper right corner which I filled in during restoration. Apparently this was added by some repair person having trouble getting the strike count lever positioned after having the clock apart. (The trick to assembling this movement is to begin with the front plate down and position the count lever first.) The strike side main wheel has a couple failed tooth replacements and the weight spools had been "cross-bored" during a previous cord replacement without disassembly. The spools have been repaired and fitted with new Nylon cord. One of the winding arbors had a deep crack which is believed to be an original defect. The arbor was fitted with a thin steel sleeve as seen in the picture at the left. The pivot holes were bushed with Delrin-AF® and the pivots straightened and polished as needed. Overall the movement was in better than usual condition with less wear than expected. Two 3 1/4 lb. iron weights were with the clock and may be original. The pendulum bob may be original but the suspension feather and leader are obvious replacements. The original dust covers are in place. The stenciling is gone and the clock may have been refinished at some point.

There is a bit of mystery surrounding the door. There is a metal lock plate on the inside of the door frame but no hole for a key on the front side. There appears to be a cutout in the clock body for a lock blade. The door as it is today has a leather turn knob to keep the door closed and a little white porcelain knob to pull the door open. These parts appear to be pretty old but I believe they were added at some point after the clock was made. I believe the door may have had the veneer replaced at some point covering the key hole. The old lock has been cleaned up and retained and at some point when time permits I may cut the keyhole so the lock can again be used. For the time being the little old leather know works well, and the white knob is sort of cute, although probably not original to the clock. I'm guessing that the clock may have belong to an elderly person who had trouble opening and locking the door using a key so these "assessories" were added for convenience and have now become a part of this clock's history. This clock is currently in great running order while the case remains largely as found. Perhaps this old clock will give up its secrets someday. Any additional information and/or pictures of similar P. Barnes clocks would be appreciated.




Not for sale at this time

The information on this page is believed to the writer to be correct at the date of posting but is presented with no guarantee expressed or implied. Pictures were a true representation of this clock at the time of posting but may not be current. Please contact me if you believe that any of the above information is incorrect, or if you wish to share additional information, or discuss this clock.

Unless otherwise credited, the pictures and information on this page are the property of Robert H Croswell & Greenfield Clock shop, 4180 Main Street, Trappe, MD 21673 and may not be sold or used for commercial purposes without permission. © 2016
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