Gilbert Clock "1807" History and Explanation, updated version

[@peterkoenen2799]

Great story!! Thank you 🙏

[@time4clocks]

So glad you liked it! 😁

[@davejeff33]

I have a question about a Gilbert clock I bought at an estate sale. The hour hand won’t move on its own.

[@time4clocks]

Hi Dave. Not sure what you mean exactly. The hour and minute hand both move directly from the gears rotating inside. The minute hand can usually be moved forward with a finger to set the right time, which may be what you mean by moving on its own but the hour hand is generally not supposed to be moved freely. Most hour hands are friction fit, meaning they lift straight off the shaft and then are pressed back on. If you mean the hour hand won't move while the clock is running then something bad may have happened to a gear inside. If the clock doesn't run at all it may just need to be cleaned and oiled.

[@HoverStrike]

Really enjoyed your video. It was very informative. My grandmother and grandfather were into all things Chinese and one of the pieces they acquired was a floor standing Chinese motif Gilbert 1807 clock. It is all wood and stands about 5 1/2 feet tall. It is painted in black lacquer with what appears to be gold leaf numbers and the 'Gilbert 1807' signature just below the number 6. It has some beautiful Chinese decorations on the face and sides. There are three shelves below the clock face where they put little Chinese figurines and a small compartment at the bottom with a closing door. It came into my possession after my grandmother passed away around 40 years ago, me being 66 years old now. I would love to know more about it and have looked around on the internet but have never come across another one like it. Have you ever heard of one like this?

[@time4clocks]

That sound like a beautiful clock, Hoverstrike. I looked in my Gilbert book but could not find the clock you described. From the size it sounds like a granddaughter clock. It might also be a clock case from a different maker with the Gilbert dial and works in it. Sometimes people had clock cases modified and painted as well. Sounds like a rare find and a lovely treasure to remind you of your grandparents. Sorry I don't know anything about it but I hope you will discover something about it some day. My email is on my About section of the channel if you want to shoot me some pictures of it. If not, that's ok and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@HoverStrike]

@@time4clocks Thanks for the reply. I did send you a couple of pictures of the clock. One that shows the full clock and one that is a close up of the face.

[@garydoc]

Hi. I came across your channel when searching for information about a Gilbert Mantel clock which was passed down to me in 1994. Originally given to my grand parents on the occasion of their wedding in July 1920. Your video here has given me an insight to the Gilbert clock company and, I have gathered that the clock I have must have been made prior to 1920. The clock still runs and chimes however, it hasn’t been used, on a daily basis, since coming into my possession. My reason for contacting you is to ask if you can point me in the right direction in the hope to identifying the type/name of this clock. I am unsure on how to post photos on KZbin (if that is actually possible) but would be most grateful for your advice. Cheers! Gary

[@time4clocks]

Hi Gary. Appreciate you visiting my little channel. You can take a pic and put it in an email to me at [e-mail] I would be glad to take a look. 😀

[@garydoc]

@@time4clocks Thanks so much. On its way👍🏻

[@lettucedraw._.]

Have come across a Gilbert 1807 that I can’t seem to find any info on. It’s about 5’ 8” tall, several shelves, a small door on the bottom and the face is on wood with painted roses on it. Has anyone seen or heard of anything like this?

[@time4clocks]

Another viewer sent me an email asking about one as well. I think it is a scarce item probably from the late 1920's or early 30's. Sounds like a novelty item that was made for a short time. Sorry I don't know anything more for you. Perhaps you can show it in a video and ask if anyone knows about it. Lots of clock people on youtube. 😁

[@startiderising]

Thanks for this video, I really enjoyed it. My interest is from a Gilbert mantle clock that my neighbor was throwing away. It is in rough shape, but I was thinking that it had to be from the 1920-1930 timeframe because of the art deco clock face like the one in your video. I'd really love to clean this one up and get it working again. Do you have any pointers on how to cleanup and repair? I need to get a winding key and a minute arm since mine are missing. Anyway, any pointers would be appreciated to refurbish the old clock!

[@time4clocks]

Yes! Take good pictures from different angles of what you take apart. Also, watch as many videos on basic clock repair that you can. eg. there are videos on just removing the hands, just on the mainsprings, etc. This lets you understand what you are doing before you do it. Multiple approaches of how something gets done may inspire you to find an even better way for your situation. In my seikosha repair series I show how to keep the parts separate so there is less confusion later. Everyone has a different method. Many channels are helpful in answering questions but some do not. There is also a chance someone has your exact clock and made a video showing it. Videos like that are helpful is seeing how the clock is supposed to look and if you see one you might ask them what size key they use. It never hurts to ask. Specialized tools make jobs easier, but there are ways to get something done without the expense for just one clock. I hope this helps. 😁

[@startiderising]

@@time4clocks Thanks for the pointers. I'll definitely checkout your videos. I took a gander at a video of a gentleman that as refurbishing a Gilbert mechanism almost exactly like mine. Wow. It can get quite involved with custom bushings at what not. I hope my mechanism is in better shape than that, lol. But first I have to figure out how to get the hands off. The minute hand is easy, it's gone. :-) I was hoping there is some obvious clip to remove and get the hour hand to come off, but it isn't obvious. Any advice or a video? Thank you for your time and videos, I really appreciate the time and effort it takes to do all of this.

[@time4clocks]

@@startiderising Yes, Mark, the hour hand is press/friction fitted, which means, "ordinarily", it should just pull straight off. If you pinch the tips of your thumb, index and third finger together like you're going to grab something, then open them slightly, grab the center of the hour hand, pinch your fingers together, and with a very slight back and forth movement, to loosen it, pull upwards at the same time while continuing a slight back and forth movement and it should lift straight off. Years of dried oil and grease can make it seem like it's glued on but they will usually come off. Just give that a gentle try first. 😸

[@peterkoenen2799]

I bought an 1807 mantle clock at the thrift store with no keys. I moved the minute hand around and it chimed. When I got it home I wound both springs. Now no chime or click. The chime is beautiful but I don’t want to get in too deep. I didn’t see any on/ off switch. Any tips or tricks out there? Thank you. 🙏

[@time4clocks]

Some clocks at thrift stores have missing pendulums. If yours has one but won't run, you can try slightly elevating one end of the clock or the other to see if the pendulums runs better or at all. Like putting a nickel under the feet on one side. But always count on any clock needing to be cleaned and oiled. Neglected clocks often have dried oil and the springs will not slip against each other to smoothly deliver power anymore. 😁

[@peterkoenen2799]

Thanks The pendulum works perfectly. The music 🎶 box type propeller was sticking. Touching the gear attached to the propeller thingy with my finger made it come back to life and strike again 😃. Thank you for replying 🆒!!

[@time4clocks]

@@peterkoenen2799 Glad you got it sorted out! 👍

[@fintan3563]

2/1/22: Good Morning, Ab. I am enjoying your vlogs very much! I have amassed quite a collection of clocks (29 🕰!). Most of them I have purchased from eBay. Have a great day Ab! Where are you located? I’m in Lafayette, Indiana. We are waiting to get hit with 8” of snow beginning tomorrow! ❄️❄️😵‍💫

[@time4clocks]

Hello Fintan. I'm in Phoenix. We don't get snow here. I have been enjoying a channel called Japan Backpackers Xpress and he videos walking around Japan showing the massive snowfall they've been having. Something nice to watch with a warm coffee nearby. Many amateur clock repair people welcome the snow as it gives them an excuse to stay in and work on clocks!! Once you're hooked on clocks it's hard to stop. Stay safe and warm with your snowfall! Always enjoy your nice comments! Best regards, Ab.

[@azepess]

I've had it for 12 years

[@time4clocks]

😸

[@azepess]

I have this insanely beautiful carved Gilbert banjo clock that I've never seen another one like after years of Google image searches. I'd love to know what it's model is. It is all wood and carved .

[@time4clocks]

On my channel page click on ABOUT and then click on EMAIL, send me a picture and I'll see what I can find out about your clock. 😸

[@1pilotsteve]

very interesting...

[@time4clocks]

There's always something new to learn with these old clocks Steve. That's half the fun of it. :)

[@1pilotsteve]

You are right

[@mikelehman969]

I inherited a Gilbert Schoolhouse clock. On the back are two handwritten dates: 1921; and 5/4/27. On the back it says: Admiral Manufactured by Wm. L. Gilbert Clock Co. Winsted, Conn., U.S.A. Eight Day Half Hour Strike The pendulum was detached and there is a separate piece, approximately eight inches long, with a curve at one end that straightens back out and attaches to a very thin piece of metal, approximately one inch long. I can't figure out how to attach these pieces to the swinging piece inside the front compartment door in order for the pendulum to work properly. I have searched the internet, but have been unable to find a diagram or instructions. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks!

[@time4clocks]

Hi Mike. If you remove the hands and then the dial pan you will have access to the movement. The piece with the little hook at the end is what the pendulum hangs on. It is the suspension rod. You must attach that first. There is a long curved piece of wire with a little loop at the bottom. That is called the crutch. Feed the suspension rod up from the bottom, through that loop, starting with the short thin strip of metal, which would be the top of the suspension rod. Now, as you feed it upwards you will see a small brass post sticking out towards you. If you look close at it you will see a thin slot in the end. That is where you put the thin piece of metal at the top of the suspension spring. Press it right into that slot. The open end of the hook at the bottom should be facing you, just so you don't put it in backwards. Now that it is in the slot, you don't want it to drop out from the weight of the pendulum. The top of that suspension spring should have a little wire in it or a hole to put a small piece of wire or even small pin through it. That is only to keep the suspension spring from sliding down through the post when the weight of the pendulum is on it. Then you just hang the pendulum on the hook. I hope that makes sense. If not, let me know and I will try to clarify or even post a picture of video for you to see. Best regards, Ab.

[@time4clocks]

I forgot, the dates written on the back of the clock will be either repair/servicing dates or dates when someone purchased the clock. The Admiral is in Gilbert catalogs dating to 1910. :)

[@52dislikes]

... I have an OG Clock, made by Gilbert and Clark in Winstead, Conn,. I think it's from 1841, frow NAWCC info.

[@time4clocks]

That's an oldie all right! If that clock could talk! 😂😂