How to Identify Antique Clocks

Antique clocks show up often at estate sales and auctions, and they range from common shelf clocks to rare early pieces. This guide helps buyers and sellers identify what kind of clock they have, find the maker, and notice signs that parts have been replaced.

Start with the type of clock

Knowing the general type helps you find the right references.

• Tall case clocks, often called grandfather clocks, stand on the floor with a long case for weights and pendulum.
• Shelf and mantel clocks include many American styles, such as ogee, steeple, beehive, kitchen or "gingerbread" clocks with pressed decoration, and black mantel clocks.
• Wall clocks include regulators, schoolhouse clocks, banjo clocks and cuckoo clocks.
• Bracket clocks are spring-driven clocks, often with a handle on top, associated with English and European makers.
• Carriage clocks are small travel clocks, typically with a brass case, glass sides and a handle.
• Tambour clocks have a low, curved "camelback" shape and were popular in the early 20th century.

Look for a label or maker's name

Open the back or the door. Many American clocks carry a paper label inside the case, often listing the maker, city and instructions. Famous American makers include Seth Thomas, Ansonia, Waterbury, E. Ingraham, Gilbert, New Haven and Sessions, among many others.

Also check the movement, the mechanism inside. Makers often stamped their name, trademark, location or serial numbers on the back plate. The dial sometimes carries a name too, though that may be a retailer rather than the maker.

Read the movement

A few simple observations tell you a lot without taking anything apart.

• Weight-driven or spring-driven: weights hanging inside the case drive some clocks; others use coiled springs wound with a key.
• Winding holes: one winding hole usually means a time-only clock. Two holes usually mean time and strike. Three often mean time, strike and chime.
• Running time: many clocks are described as 30-hour or 8-day, meaning how long they run on a full wind. Labels sometimes state this.
• Material: some early American clocks have wooden movements, with gears made of wood. Most later clocks have brass movements.

Look at the dial and hands

Dials may be painted metal, brass, enamel, porcelain or paper. A painted dial with flaking, honest wear and small touch-ups may be original. A crisp, bright dial on a worn case may have been restored or replaced. Hands should suit the style and size of the dial; mismatched hands are a common replacement.

Watch for marriages and replacements

Clocks are frequently repaired over their long lives, and parts get swapped. A married clock combines a case and movement, or a dial and movement, that did not start out together. Signs include:

• Extra, unused screw holes or mounting marks inside the case.
• A movement that does not sit squarely or needs added blocks to fit.
• Winding holes that do not line up neatly with the dial openings.
• A label that names a maker different from the movement stamp.
• A pendulum, weights or key that look too new or the wrong size.

Replacements are common and don't make a clock worthless, but they affect value, especially for collectors of early or high-end clocks.

Handle and move clocks carefully

• Do not wind a clock you just bought until it has been checked. Old, dirty or damaged movements can be harmed by running.
• Before moving a pendulum clock, remove the pendulum or secure it. For weight-driven clocks, remove the weights and label which goes where.
• Don't spray oil or household lubricants into the movement.
• For cleaning, oiling and repair, use an experienced clock repairer. Clock movements need specialized cleaning, not just oil.

Research and value

Once you have a maker and model, clock reference books and catalog reprints can help you match the case style and dates of production. To understand value, research sold examples of the same model in similar condition and running order, and note whether the clock is working, since buyers often ask.

Quick checklist

• Identify the type of clock.
• Look for a paper label, dial name and movement stamp.
• Count winding holes and note weights or springs.
• Compare dial, hands and case for matching age and wear.
• Check for extra holes and mismatched parts.
• Secure the pendulum and weights before moving.