Longcase Grandfather Clocks

Longcase Grandfather Clocks

The longcase grandfather clocks are very popular and probably you have a piece hanging on the wall. It is also called a tall case clock, a floor clock, a longcase clock or simply a grandfather clock. This clock is usually tall, self-supporting and has a weighty pendulum secured inside the clock’s case waist.  Most of the grandfather clocks crafted in this style are big. They normally measure approximately six to eight feet tall. You will find that many clocks have lovely cases, which are embellished and intricately carved.

The hood that encircles the clock face is attractive on many long face clocks. This is truly one of the oldest clocks existing because it was made in the 1670.William Clement; a renowned English clock manufacturer is remembered for this invention. You may be wondering why the clocks are called grandfather. The term is based on a song that was written by Henry Clay Work in 1876. The song, which became a hit in those days, was called My Grandfather Clock and it was inspired by an irreparable clock story.

You can also find some grandmother longcase clocks in the market. There is no definite way of differentiating the two terms. However, the grandfather clocks are least six feet tall or over. Available as well are the granddaughter clocks, which are lower than five feet tall. The longcase pendulum clocks that were manufactured before 1670 lacked a better escapement system, as they used verge. It was William Clement who invented the anchor escapement system. This system solved the following problems of the older versions such as the:

• Wide Pendulum swings: Older pendulum clock versions needed swings of approximately eighty to a hundred degrees. This anchor escapement system required four to six degrees pendulum swings.
  

• Clocks without long pendulums inside the cases: Long pendulum fitted within a clock case could not work because of wide swings. The new anchor system could allow clock makers to still use a long pendulum with few swings.

The new versions had some extra advantages. First, they did not require extra power to sustain the rate of swings. They also caused minimal friction and damage than the earlier versions, not to mention how accurate the clocks were.  Most of the grandfather clocks you are likely find use second pendulum. This means that every pendulum swing takes only one second. These clocks are thirty-nine inches long thus they are housed in a long narrow casing. You should of course consider buying the modern longcase clocks. They typically use an anchor escapement known as the deadbeat, which makes them very accurate.

They use eight-day movements meaning you will have to wait to reset the movements. Cables or chains usually suspend the weights for most contemporary clocks. Some have a pulley system and others have a gear system. There is no doubt that modern longcase grandfather clocks are technologically advanced, elegant and accurate. If you want to buy a clock like this to decorate your home, do it on the Internet. It is easy to choose a piece that complements your home’s interior design.

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