Clock
An unusual skeleton timepiece of one-month duration by Charles MacDowall of Wakefield, circa 1840
The brass frame is of a simple design with a cut waist below the signed silvered dial. The dial is engraved: ‘C. McDowall’s Patent Helix Lever, No. 149, St. Johns, Wakefield’. The chain fusee movement has four wheels, all with helical gearing, and a dead-beat escapement.
McDowall’s system of helical gearing gave a smoother transmission of power from the mainspring to the escapement but, owing to its involved manufacture, the design was not adopted by other clockmakers.
The brass frame is of a simple design with a cut waist below the signed silvered dial. The dial is engraved: ‘C. McDowall’s Patent Helix Lever, No. 149, St. Johns, Wakefield’. The chain fusee movement has four wheels, all with helical gearing, and a dead-beat escapement.
McDowall’s system of helical gearing gave a smoother transmission of power from the mainspring to the escapement but, owing to its involved manufacture, the design was not adopted by other clockmakers.
Object Details
| ID: | ZAA0523 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Timekeeping |
| Type: | Clock |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | McDowall, Charles |
| Places: | City and Borough of Wakefield |
| Date made: | circa 1840 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Foulkes Collection |
| Measurements: | Overall: 345 x 190 x 35 mm |
| Parts: | Clock |