6/72 Lecoultre Freres key-wind cartel Serial No. 31180, Gamme 6876, circa 1861
Fellow collector Anna Svenson, has trusted me with cleaning up the mechanism of this cartel in return for her sorting out my Barrel Organ Bird Box.
There were several parts missing. It seems that someone may have used this as a donor for another box. Two control rods and screws and the start/stop mechanism also.
I've found a key for the lock which works perfectly.
I've found a key for the lock which works perfectly.
New parts made and fitted by Geoff Crowther.
Stop/start arm and spring. Two control rods and shoulder screws.
Now ready for a good scrub!
Stop/start arm and spring. Two control rods and shoulder screws.
Now ready for a good scrub!
14th December 2025 - Disassembly
Removing the spring
Everything ready to start cleaning
The steel items below have been in the ultrasound bath with some degreaser. Even then I had to manually remove the stubborn residues, After which they've been 'polished' using a mild abrasive wheel, except for the chrome washers which will be polished with a compound.
The brass has been in a non ammonia based clock cleaning solution for 24 hours. This is the first time I've used this cleaner and it seems to have done a good job. Some surfaces that are not to be polished have also been lightly abraded.
The brass has been in a non ammonia based clock cleaning solution for 24 hours. This is the first time I've used this cleaner and it seems to have done a good job. Some surfaces that are not to be polished have also been lightly abraded.
I've noted that four of the five comb screws are numbered I, II, III, IIII.
However, there are no marks to tell me which end to start and they all appear to be identical.
The four bedplate legs are also numbered but also have no corresponding numbers on the bedplate. One is longer than the others. I noted that the bedplate wobbled, so care will be taken when replacing the legs so that it stands firm.
Also, one of the chrome plated washers has been replaced with one that's not been plated. This will be polished.
I also found that the tiny adjustment screw for the star cam register is missing which explains why the tunes are out of register..
However, there are no marks to tell me which end to start and they all appear to be identical.
The four bedplate legs are also numbered but also have no corresponding numbers on the bedplate. One is longer than the others. I noted that the bedplate wobbled, so care will be taken when replacing the legs so that it stands firm.
Also, one of the chrome plated washers has been replaced with one that's not been plated. This will be polished.
I also found that the tiny adjustment screw for the star cam register is missing which explains why the tunes are out of register..
A bit of polishing today. The bedplate is nicely marked from previous polishing so I've decided to preserve it by just giving it a light clean. The cylinder was very dirty - mostly oil. Most of the muck came off, but it needed two more scrubs after pin straightening.
Exploded view of all the parts, including hinges, lock and fixings for the case. Only the spring is not shown as it was in a degreaser.
Saturday 20th December - Re assembly starting with the Governor, then the cylinder, the spring motor and control rods and finally the comb.
Although now complete, the governor required polishing and adjustment as it runs too slowly. The dampers all need replacement.
When setting up the cylinder I placed a thin piece of waxed paper under the cam register so that the tunes play correctly. A new screw will need to be made and fitted.
When setting up the cylinder I placed a thin piece of waxed paper under the cam register so that the tunes play correctly. A new screw will need to be made and fitted.
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The governor running
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Tune 1 - Dampers and tuning required
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The mechanism has now been to the 'dentist', or rather The Musicbox Restorer for cam register screw, governor, dampers and tuning.
This haas proved to be an expensive restoration.
This haas proved to be an expensive restoration.