6/73 Cartel almost certainly by L'Epee
Serial No. 48891 circa 1898
Fellow collector and friend, Anna Svenson, asked me to clean up this mechanism for her.
It ran very well before I dismantled it so I'm worried that cleaning will mess things up - time will tell!
It ran very well before I dismantled it so I'm worried that cleaning will mess things up - time will tell!
Before
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After
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The case is in very good condition, but has a few issues with the inlay that Anna will repair herself.
Wednesday 29th April - Starting to dismantle the mechanism.
Fixed from underneath and note the retainer for the start/stop lever screw.
Fixed from underneath and note the retainer for the start/stop lever screw.
The Zither and bracket
I have to say that this is probably to most oily, dirty mechanism that I've worked on to date.
The oil is everywhere.
30th April
All parts have been dismantled.
Some have been degreased and are now either 'cooking' in brass cleaner or have been in the ultrasonic 'bath'!
All the steel items have now been cleaned and polished.
All parts have been dismantled.
Some have been degreased and are now either 'cooking' in brass cleaner or have been in the ultrasonic 'bath'!
All the steel items have now been cleaned and polished.
All the components (except the cylinder) after the brass had soaked in cleaner.
It was all then polished ready for reassembly.
It was all then polished ready for reassembly.
Saturday 16th May - first time in the workshop for a while.
Cylinder degreased, cleaned with Wrights and then polished with Autosol. A few pins needed straightening. None missing!
Spring degreased, re-greased, back in the barrel and spring motor reassembled.
Governor reassembled and running.
Cylinder reassembled.
All three remounted onto the bedplate and set running for testing.
Cylinder degreased, cleaned with Wrights and then polished with Autosol. A few pins needed straightening. None missing!
Spring degreased, re-greased, back in the barrel and spring motor reassembled.
Governor reassembled and running.
Cylinder reassembled.
All three remounted onto the bedplate and set running for testing.
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The Zither
Note: The serial number matches that on the mechanism which means it's never been changed.
The entire zither mechanism would have originally been nickel plated. Over time a lot of the plating has rubbed off and now that I've cleaned it all, there is none left. The options are now to re-plate it or polish the brass.
Note: The serial number matches that on the mechanism which means it's never been changed.
The entire zither mechanism would have originally been nickel plated. Over time a lot of the plating has rubbed off and now that I've cleaned it all, there is none left. The options are now to re-plate it or polish the brass.
Serial number 48891 written on the paper that touches the comb.
The movement running in the case. Note: there are some squeaks from the dampers. Some missing, some damaged.
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