Pictures

Miniature Tall Case Clock with Davall movement, circa 1930's

This lovely miniature "tall case" clock was in my shop briefly for repair in December 2012. It is the first like this that I have seen. The movement is by Davall and was Made in England, but there are no marks on the case. Overall height is about 18 inches. There are lead slugs in the bottom to keep it from tipping over as the movement is relatively heavy. The movement is screwed to a brass plate which has holes for screws into the wood. That plate has extra holes and all the holes look to have been drilled by hand. The holes in the corners are not evenly spaced. The dial is made of separate parts held on with tiny screws. Only the back of the case opens. There is a small platform escapement. I believe the movement is an 8-day because when I wound it after a week it was still going.

The movement is a neat snug fit but there are no extra holes in the wood so I believe this movement and case belong together. It somehow has a hand-made look but done very neatly. I'm wondering if it may have been a custom build, limited production, one of a kind, or possibly a kit? It reportedly came from an antique store some 30 to 40 years ago. I'm guessing it was made during the first part of the 20th. century, probably during the 1930's.

NAWCC Clocks forum contributor, jmclaugh added the following: "The company S Davall & Son was registered in 1931 at 262/266 St. John's Street, Clerkenwell, London, production is said to have ceased at the outbreak of WWII". "They produced a chiming movement using the trade name 'Tower' which they claimed was the smallest striking clock on the market, the plates were 4.5" x 3.75" which may tie in with the very small movement on this clock".




Not for sale
(returned to owner after service)

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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

email:  bobby@greenfieldclockshop.com