posted on July 21, 2004 05:29:52 AM new
Okay, I've been to the library, taken it to a jeweler who knows watches and clocks, and asked almost everybody I can think of that might have a clue about this old clock thing. It's 3" in diameter and 1-3/4" tall. It's very heavy brass and has the key wind you can see. It just ticks away! But, I can't figure out exactly what it is. My first impression was that it was a ship or submarine some kind of thing. Anybody seen anything like this before? As always, thank you so much for your help. I swear one day I'm gonna be able to answer somebody else's question!
posted on July 21, 2004 05:32:39 AM new
Looks like a ship's clock to me and maybe German? I'm not 100% sure, though, because the numbers seem odd.
Cheryl
God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: This is my country. - Benjamin Franklin
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Jul 21, 2004 05:33 AM ]
posted on July 21, 2004 06:38:22 AM new
Thank you, thank you, thank you! My instincts are okay, then, after all. I haven't been able to find anything at all on the maker or the mark. On that little cross piece, it says "T Burk Original." Well, at least I have confirmation that it's a ship's clock. Thank you again so much!
posted on July 21, 2004 07:01:22 AM new
I have a ships clock that belonged to my grandfather who was a seaman. Mine has glass over the front of it. It also has the mfg'er's name on the back and ship's name. Maybe mine hung on a wall.
posted on July 21, 2004 07:12:21 AM new
Hi Jenny,
I found this. http://www.clock-museum.co.uk/zburk.htm
I do not know how useful it is but it might be a decent avenue of enquiry.
Regards,
Adrian
posted on July 21, 2004 07:26:19 AM new
As a side note the number (171 or what ever)
was an inventory number and the Captain had to Sign for this and other pilferble items (such as pistols, etc.Lots of heart burn if item was "lost".... David
posted on July 21, 2004 07:34:33 AM new
Wow! You people amaze me. I got stuff to go with now!!! I really can't thank you enough. This has been such a mystery! I sincerely hope that one day I can return the favor.
posted on July 28, 2004 05:51:16 AM new
Okay, if anybody's interested, I finally got to the bottom of this mystery. It is not a ship's clock or anything to do with the military. It is a very early portable watchman's clock. I found this exact clock by hunkering down with google yesterday. It's also called a "drum" clock. The outside keyhole was used when the watchmen made his rounds to confirm that he had been to all the spots in the plant or whatever that he was supposed to go to. There would be a key hanging at each checkpoint. There was a little teeny recording strip chart inside that would record the time he was at that post. Pretty cool, huh? Thanks again to you all for your help!
David