Discourse on Tick Talk Tuesday, session 28: Unraveling the purpose, explores the two-pronged key's enigma
Vintage Gilbert Tambour Style Clock with Normandy Chime Puzzles Clock Enthusiast
In an exciting find at an estate auction, a vintage Gilbert Tambour style clock with a Normandy Chime was purchased for $25 plus tax and buyer's premium. The clock, a Gilbert Model 2038 8-day mantel clock, has been sitting in a store for a long time before being bought by TD, a clock enthusiast with a fondness for old timepieces.
The Gilbert Clock Company, established in December of 1828, produced this attractive vintage find. TD also owns another Gilbert clock, model 2041, which he purchased from an antique store in an unspecified location in Wisconsin.
The key that came with TD's clocks is doubled ended, but if a clock has a single-ended key, it is the wrong type for the clock, although it will wind it up. The key is used for regulating the speed of the clock and, in the case of the Gilbert Tambour style clock with a Normandy Chime, it is also used for winding the chime spring or activating the chime mechanism.
However, the keyhole under number 12 on the clock face is a point of mystery for TD. General knowledge of antique or mantel clocks suggests that this keyhole is typically used for winding one of the clock's mechanisms or for setting certain features. Mantel clocks often have separate keyholes for winding the timekeeping mechanism, winding the chime or strike mechanism, and adjusting or silencing the chime function.
For a Gilbert Tambour clock with a Normandy Chime, the keyhole under number 12 is commonly intended for winding the chime spring or activating the chime mechanism. This allows the chimes to operate for striking the hours or playing the Normandy melody at set intervals.
If you have the original manual or a reliable clock repair resource, it would provide exact confirmation. Without that, this explanation aligns with standard horological practice for clocks with multiple winding/keyhole points on the dial. If further detail is needed, specialized clock forums or Gilbert collectors might offer precise insights for model 2041.
Disassembly of the Gilbert Clock movement requires the removal of some parts to separate the plates. TD's curiosity about the keyhole under number 12 led him to seek advice on Tick-Talk Tuesday, a series of letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, or questions, with advice on particular clock concerns. The series focuses on letters and comments about American clocks.
Each Gilbert movement has unique differences, and the Gilbert 2038 tambour clock with a Normandy Chime has a rod gong and two striking hammers. This clock's movement has slight differences compared to other Gilbert clocks.
In summary, the keyhole under number 12 on the Gilbert Tambour style mantel clock with a Normandy Chime is commonly used for winding the chime spring or activating the chime mechanism. TD's discovery of this vintage treasure and his quest for understanding its intricacies add to the allure of antique clock collecting.
TD's vintage Gilbert Tambour style clock, with its Normandy Chime, not only adds to his collection but also enhances his home-and-garden lifestyle, decorating his space with a piece of vintage history. With the keyhole under number 12 still a mystery, his intrigue for this antique timepiece extends beyond its aesthetics into the realm of lifestyle and horology, making the vintage clocks a unique part of his home-and-garden and lifestyle.
