Clock featuring Sperry and Shaw design once again available for use on the workstation
In the heart of the 19th century, a unique timepiece emerged from the partnership between Henry Sperry and George Shaw - the Sperry and Shaw four-column clock. This intriguing piece, made between 1844 and 1851, has recently been undergoing a meticulous repair process, revealing insights into its intricate workings and the enigma surrounding its origin.
The clock, a 30-hour ogee model, is a fascinating study for beginners in clock repair, thanks to its large gears, overall simplicity, and the absence of mainsprings. In January 2019, the movement was disassembled and cleaned, with all parts found to be in good order. However, the journey of restoration has not been without challenges.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that the movement plates are bent and twisted, possibly due to poor quality brass or rough manipulation by a past repairer. The count lever should be deep in the cam slot at the same time the drop lever is in one of the deep slots of the count wheel, but this was not the case. To rectify this, the count and drop levers were synchronized, addressing the strike side's malfunction.
The paddle should be radial to the count wheel, and it was bent slightly to ensure it pointed directly at the wheel hub. The three bushings required for the movement - the time side second wheel front plate, the strike-side mainwheel, and the second wheel back plate - were also replaced due to wear on pivot holes.
Unfortunately, the search results do not provide specific information about who manufactured the four-column clocks sold by Sperry and Shaw during their partnership. The name "Sperry" is associated with various entities, but there is no direct mention of a clock manufacturing partnership with Shaw in the provided search results. To find the exact manufacturer of these clocks, historical records or archives related to clock manufacturing companies from the 1840s, or specific historical documents detailing the partnership between Sperry and Shaw, may provide the answers.
The Sperry and Shaw clock is adorned with distinctive features. The hands and dial are not original but appear to be period correct, while the lantern pinions show some wear but not more than typically observed in 30-hour movements. The plates of the movement are thinner than a Jerome, suggesting a cost-cutting measure.
The clock also boasts narrow brick-shaped wafer weights (4 3/4 inches X 1 inch) and a label on the backboard that reads 10 Courtlandt Street, which was the company headquarters at the time. The lower tablet of the clock contains an engraved copy of the Bay of Quinte (Ontario).
In May 2021, the time side of the clock started to stop after 5 minutes, and the strike side began to run erratically. Further examination revealed that some bushings are now required due to wear on pivot holes.
Despite these challenges, the Sperry and Shaw four-column clock continues to captivate those who encounter it, offering a glimpse into the past through its intricate workings and historical significance. As the repair process continues, we eagerly await the unveiling of more secrets hidden within this remarkable timepiece.
As the repair process of the Sperry and Shaw four-column clock progresses, the vintage clock serves as a valuable learning tool for beginners in clock repair, showcasing its large gears, simplicity, and the absence of mainsprings. However, the journey of restoration hasn't been seamless, as challenges such as bent and twisted movement plates have arisen, requiring synchronization of the count and drop levers, and replacement of worn bushings.
