Hi Bob,  Well, someone did something really terrible to a beautiful,
interchangeable cylinder box.  They removed the duplex spring motor
and the governor and drilled a few new holes in the bed plate.  Other
than that (and at least one broken tooth) it looks like it's in pretty
good shape, including the case.

I can see why someone might decide to electrify it (convenience) but
I am surprised that they did such a crude job of it.  So the first
thing you need to do is fill in all these extra holes and repaint the
bedplate with the same color gold paint.  From there on it's going to
cost _a lot_ of money.

First, you need two new spring motors (springs, barrels, gears, and
a common arbor) and the two mounting brackets and screws.  Then you
need a new winding arm and handle and the associated ratchets and pawls
and cheese head screws.  Then you need a whole new governor and the
screws with which to assemble and mount it.

Let me suggest that you contact someone who can actually do all this
work himself.  Many restorers will farm out several of these tasks and
then hope that it all comes together in the end.  This is especially
important when so many parts are completely missing.

I'd be inclined to remove the cylinder and comb and send the rest of
the mechanism (in a sturdy wooden case) to the restorer.  Then he can
cut and fit the parts exactly right.  Many times this isn't practical
but, in this case, it will be easy to do because the mechanism will
run just fine without the cylinder and comb.

Write back or call me and I'll suggest a couple trustworthy people in
the Washington area.

One last thought -- do _not_ give this to the local clock shop or
jewelry store to work on.  That's sort of like asking your family
doctor to do your hip replacement or take out your prostate.

Regards,
Craig Smith

By the way, the mechanism that stops the cylinder at the end of the
tune was also removed, so the movement just stops wherever it is when
you turn it off.  That's a definite no-no because it leaves some of
the teeth on the comb in contact with the pins.