I have a small but wonderful collection of Mantle Clocks from the 1930s, including this classic design.
After a wave of wooden cases and then the new wonder material – Bakelite – manufacturers began to produce designs using the skills of the ‘Metal Bashing’ companies that were the backbone of light engineering in Great Britain. This example uses thin gauge steel pressings, steel die castings and a standard wind-up movement. I find the use of tiny fixing screws amazing. The tolerances are tight and everything fits together and runs like clockwork!
I have modelled this in 3D using SolidWorks. It was instructional just to take it apart – James May would love this product. Now, can I put it together again?
