Identifying Antique Clocks Based On Essential Features

Contrary to what many believe, an old-looking clock with only one hand may not be broken. It may be an indication that at was made in latter part of the 16th century when only the hour hand was put on clocks. Persons who collect antique clocks understand that the minute hand was not standard on clocks until about 1775, although some were still produced with only the hour hand until 1820. Longcase clock dials for example, began to add second hands in about, with the dots on the minute portion of the clock added in 1785.

Not all clock makers added the new features to their work and their names are sometimes found on the faces of antique clocks as it was popular to sign their work when the piece was completed. There are many directories available that define the type of clocks different people manufactured and the years in which their work was done to help identify the maker. This is another tool used by collectors to help determine the age of antique clocks in their collections.

Until about 1820, the popular shelf clocks still used wooden movements as brass movements were considered too expensive at the time. A 30-hour brass movement found in many antique clocks did not begin to replace wood until the 1830's and within 10 years had replaced almost all of the wood movements in most clocks.

Chimes Began Sounding In Late 19th Century

Chime bars were added to longcase clocks in 1890, similar to windchimes with the bars to different lengths to create the chime tune when the antique clocks hammer hit the chimes at regular intervals. Beginning with the sound on the hour, a few years later additional hammers would produce a different tune on the half-hour.

Identifying antique clocks can be tricky, but by knowing the basics of construction, especially with what is called grandfather clocks, as well as the fundamentals of when different features were added to clocks, can help a person determine if what they are looking at are antique clocks or cheap knock-offs, which are plentiful in the marketplace.

Calendars were added to antique clocks in the 19th century with the first American patent issued in 1853 and became quite popular at the time. Considering that less than a hundred years previously, the clocks were equipped only with an hour hand, having them be able to show the hour, minute, second and day of the week it was quite an accomplishment for clock makers.