Birge & Fuller; Bristol, Conn. 8 Day Wagonspring Double Steeple Clock; circa 1845-1849
Here is the Birge and Fuller 8 Day WagonSpring Double Steeple clock as purchased off ebay. This clock is 100% completely original including hands, pendulum bob, key, movement, label and case and tablets. It was purchased out of an estate in NY. Originally the dial was not included in the auction. By a stroke of good fortune, the original owners found the missing dial wrapped up in a closet in the barn. This did not make them happy as the missing dial was the tipping point which made them decide to sell the family heirloom. After some haggling and delays, the dial original to the clock was once again re-united with it.
Over 80% of the veneer on the face of this clock was missing. With that much gone, it did not make sense to restore what was left. Thus I removed it and replaced all of it using geniuine Brazilian Rosewood that I have left from my Acorn Clock Project
A close up view showing the match of the new veneer to the old
Here is the restored Birge + Fuller Wagonspring Double Steeple clock now proudly displaying the original dial
This image shows how I clamped on the replacement veneer. This is a resin cast impression from a steeple clock. Wood was first soaked in warm water and then clamped in place to dry. This gave it a prebent condition allowing it to be glued on better
Fortunately the brass chains were in good condition on this clock. So setting it back up to running condition was a snap after the movement was cleaned and serviced properly.
Another view of the completed Birge and Fuller Wagonspring clock