12/195 Alternate Tip Comb Cartel by Lecoultre Freres circa 1862
Restoration complete 2022
This high quality Cartel, serial no. 32572, made by Lecoultre Freres around 1862 has a massive 195 note 2 part comb and plays 12 different Scottish tunes. The cylinder measures 18 3/4" (477mm) long by 2 1/8" (54.55mm) diameter.
There were some pieces of mechanism broken or missing, but nothing major.
The unusual 'alternate tip' comb has 50% of the notes without tips. Each untipped note is tuned to it's left hand companion and vibrates in sympathy with its partner to (allegedly) provide a richer sound, though this is not proven.
The walnut lid was missing some marquetry inlay, banding and mahogany edging, It was also missing five of seven delicate brass quatrefoil inlays which required some intricate work to replicate. This work was done by Phil Rose of Lignae who has made a great professional job of the restoration.
There were a few woodworm holes in the box, but it was otherwise in really good condition and has been restored with ease.
There was a lot to do to bring this music box back to its former glory, starting with dismantling and cleaning, getting the missing and damaged parts made alongside restoring the marquetry and re-polishing the box.
It was too important to mess this one up and so I have used James Preddy - otherwise known as The Musicbox Restorer - to restore the combs. James tells me that this was a 'transition' piece meaning that it was made at the beginning of the change from key wind to lever wind mechanism. This explains why there is no divider over the spring motor and you have to lift the glass lid to access the winding lever.
There were some pieces of mechanism broken or missing, but nothing major.
The unusual 'alternate tip' comb has 50% of the notes without tips. Each untipped note is tuned to it's left hand companion and vibrates in sympathy with its partner to (allegedly) provide a richer sound, though this is not proven.
The walnut lid was missing some marquetry inlay, banding and mahogany edging, It was also missing five of seven delicate brass quatrefoil inlays which required some intricate work to replicate. This work was done by Phil Rose of Lignae who has made a great professional job of the restoration.
There were a few woodworm holes in the box, but it was otherwise in really good condition and has been restored with ease.
There was a lot to do to bring this music box back to its former glory, starting with dismantling and cleaning, getting the missing and damaged parts made alongside restoring the marquetry and re-polishing the box.
It was too important to mess this one up and so I have used James Preddy - otherwise known as The Musicbox Restorer - to restore the combs. James tells me that this was a 'transition' piece meaning that it was made at the beginning of the change from key wind to lever wind mechanism. This explains why there is no divider over the spring motor and you have to lift the glass lid to access the winding lever.
Local engineer Geoff Crowther made a new stop mechanism and pawl spring.
The movement has been to The Musicbox Restorer for James to restore the combs and dampers.
The damaged lid has been to Phil Rose of Lignae for him to restore the marquetry and edging.
The movement has been to The Musicbox Restorer for James to restore the combs and dampers.
The damaged lid has been to Phil Rose of Lignae for him to restore the marquetry and edging.
Restoring the Movement
30th January 2022
The remainder of the mechanism has been dismantled and all small brass items soaked overnight in Horolene.
The spring was removed from the barrel, requiring the use of a spring winder as it is a high tension spring. This has been degreased.
The brass components have now been polished, rinsed and dried, including the bedplate, great wheel and cylinder
The remainder of the mechanism has been dismantled and all small brass items soaked overnight in Horolene.
The spring was removed from the barrel, requiring the use of a spring winder as it is a high tension spring. This has been degreased.
The brass components have now been polished, rinsed and dried, including the bedplate, great wheel and cylinder
21st February
The cleaned and partly polished cylinder temporarily reattached to the bedplate.
I've straightened any bent pins within the 98 segments. It took me four two hour sessions.
There are probably around five thousand pins!
The cleaned and partly polished cylinder temporarily reattached to the bedplate.
I've straightened any bent pins within the 98 segments. It took me four two hour sessions.
There are probably around five thousand pins!
21st February.
Today I replaced the spring back into the spring motor housing using a specialist jig.
Refer to numbers on the pictures below:
Today I replaced the spring back into the spring motor housing using a specialist jig.
Refer to numbers on the pictures below:
Image 1 - The jig clamped firmly into a bench vice. Note the different size sockets to cater for different size arbours
Motor housing reversed and clamped in the jaws as a bearing for the arbour which is shown aligned with the drive shaft
Image 2 - The uncoiled spring hooked to the arbour and the outside end hooked to the retaining arm
Image 3 - Close up of the drive shaft connected to the arbour with the retaining sleeve, which is one size smaller than the motor housing, in position for slipping over the spring when wound
Image 4 - The spring being tensioned. The drive shaft has a ratchet to prevent the spring uncoiling out of control
Image 5 - The retaining sleeve slipped over the now tightly coiled spring allowing the tension to be released
Image 6 - The tightly coiled spring in the retainer sleeve ready to be inserted into the motor housing
Image 7 - The motor housing reversed and the spring now in place and treated with Horoglide
Image 8 - The motor with its cap in the correct position and pressed home using cramps
Image 9 - The other side of the motor housing showing the screw hole for the Geneva Stop
Now ready for a final polish.
Motor housing reversed and clamped in the jaws as a bearing for the arbour which is shown aligned with the drive shaft
Image 2 - The uncoiled spring hooked to the arbour and the outside end hooked to the retaining arm
Image 3 - Close up of the drive shaft connected to the arbour with the retaining sleeve, which is one size smaller than the motor housing, in position for slipping over the spring when wound
Image 4 - The spring being tensioned. The drive shaft has a ratchet to prevent the spring uncoiling out of control
Image 5 - The retaining sleeve slipped over the now tightly coiled spring allowing the tension to be released
Image 6 - The tightly coiled spring in the retainer sleeve ready to be inserted into the motor housing
Image 7 - The motor housing reversed and the spring now in place and treated with Horoglide
Image 8 - The motor with its cap in the correct position and pressed home using cramps
Image 9 - The other side of the motor housing showing the screw hole for the Geneva Stop
Now ready for a final polish.
Rebuilding the mechanism began on 22nd February and took two afternoons.
26th February.
Work to restore the box has started
One end of the box was loose so it was removed, the joints cleaned and re-glued using traditional glue, then clamped and left to set.
One internal rail was also loose so this was also re-glued and clamped.
The interior and exterior have been rubbed down with 0000 grade wire wool dipped in Methylated Spirit, then cleaned off and a coat of clear shellac polish applied to the interior. The mechanism and restored controls were dropped in for a photo.
The brass lock had been polished and adjusted.
Work to restore the box has started
One end of the box was loose so it was removed, the joints cleaned and re-glued using traditional glue, then clamped and left to set.
One internal rail was also loose so this was also re-glued and clamped.
The interior and exterior have been rubbed down with 0000 grade wire wool dipped in Methylated Spirit, then cleaned off and a coat of clear shellac polish applied to the interior. The mechanism and restored controls were dropped in for a photo.
The brass lock had been polished and adjusted.
The Lid
Phil Rose from Lignae has taken on the task of restoring the lid, which included the missing marquetry, stringing, edging and five brass inlays. The pictures below were taken by Phil.
Phil Rose from Lignae has taken on the task of restoring the lid, which included the missing marquetry, stringing, edging and five brass inlays. The pictures below were taken by Phil.
Box interior repolished and movement installed - before comb restoration
With glass lid opened (required for winding) before comb restoration
After comb restoration
After comb restoration by The Music Box Restorer
Box returned from The Musicbox Restorer 13th June 2022 who has de-rusted the combs, replaced and repaired 37 dampers, realigned the cylinder and change hook.
Now awaiting the return of the lid from Phil Rose of Lignae. Below is the lid restored prior to polishing.
Now awaiting the return of the lid from Phil Rose of Lignae. Below is the lid restored prior to polishing.
Lid marquetry restored
Restoration complete