Troublesome Evolution of Canada Clock Company
In the heart of downtown Truro, Nova Scotia, a rare piece of clockmaking history has found its way into the hands of a dedicated repairer. The clock in question is a 30-hour time and strike movement model called the "Rose Cottage," manufactured by Jerome & Co. in the mid-1850s, a marketing arm of the New Haven Clock Company.
The "Rose Cottage" has lived a hard life, as evidenced by the condition of its case. Despite its worn-out appearance, the clock was purchased at a low price, possibly due to its worn-out condition. The seller of the clock knew little about the Canada Clock Company, but the clock movement itself is interesting.
The logic behind the lever arrangement in the Canada Clock Co. time and strike movement is complex and intricate. This arrangement transforms the rotational movement from the clock’s gears into a sequence of hammer strikes, often through a cam or pinwheel interacting with a lifting lever system. Working on them is difficult because the complex mechanical delays and multiple interacting components require deep knowledge of the construction and precise mechanical sympathy to adjust or repair without disrupting the delicate synchronization of the strike and time trains.
The repair process, however, has not been without its challenges. Upon servicing, issues were discovered that slowed the repair process. The time side of the clock runs reasonably well, but the strike side does not function. The left side lifting lever on the clock must be precisely adjusted and curved for the centre cam to push the drop lever over the count wheel cam to actuate the strike. The count lever blade must align exactly with the centre of the count wheel and precisely in the middle of the deep slot.
Despite best efforts, the strike side of the clock continues to elude the repairer. Parts for the clock, including a new gong hammer, two new mainsprings, and brass wire for new helper springs, have been received. However, the movement was found to have repaired mainsprings, nuts on a copper wire gong hammer, and string helping the helper springs, which are undesirable.
A new access hole was drilled in the hammer arbour using a mini lathe to aid in the repair process. Despite the setbacks, the repairer remains determined to restore the vintage clock to its former glory. The complexity and rarity of the Canada Clock Co.'s lever arrangement contribute to the challenge of servicing these unique timepieces, but the reward of bringing a piece of history back to life is worth the effort.
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