Tossed aside.

[Brian C.]

Here is an early clock weight from a large clock. My friend found it and he just tossed it in the junk pile at an old town site we were detecting. I thought it was something interesting, but little did I know realy what it was until I got it home. I am not sure of its age, but I think it is early, if any one knows about old clock parts let me know thanks.HH

 

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[xtrmdigger]

Very neat find! I'm familiar with the pine cone shaped ones even copied one and cast a replacement in lead before to get a clock working but yours is unique. Might need to post under the "what's it" if u haven't already?

 

[AnnieF]

This guy -> The Clock Shop - Hanover Massachusetts knows *everything* about clocks. Send him an email.

 

[Brian C.]

Thank you..

 

[dfx willy]

ya im from hanover originaly! that guy is good. willy

 

[detect-OR-fish]

It is a pendulum bob, not a clock weight. The pendulum stick(usually wood in older clocks) with a small gauge threaded rod in the end of it passes through the rectangular hole at the top. There should be a small hole at the bottom(it may be rusted over) where the threaded rod comes out, and a nut is threaded on the end of the rod. The nut is turned upward on the rod to regulate the length of the pendulum. Turning the nut pushes the pendulum upward which shortens the arc the pendulum travels, therefore making the clock run faster. Turning the nut in a downward direction increases the arc, therefore making the pendulum travel a longer arc and makes the clock run slower. The pendulum stick would have a hook at the top where it would attach to the clock escapement. Brass pendulum bobs are usually used on wall clocks and are meant to be seen. Cast iron or unfinished/embellished ones are used on mantel clocks, grandfather clocks etc. where the works are not visible with glass. Generally, the larger and the heavier the pendulum bob, the larger the clock movement.

Here is a cast iron pendulum bob with a wire hanger instead of a wood stick. Your pendulum bob would probably have been similar to this originally.