6/66 Cartel by Auguste Perrelet - Serial No 38818 - circa 1870/71
As received
A private commission to clean, polish and reassemble both mechanism and case.
First thought to be by BA Brémond, but the MBSGB Registrar, David Wirral, thinks differently, and says ...
The most recent considered view is that Brémond ceased musical box production at around his Serial No 22,000, +/- a few either way, and that all higher serial numbers previously attributed to him are either by Rivenc or, as in this case FC Lecoultre or his successor Auguste Perrelet. I have discussed this with Tim Reed who agrees that it cannot be by Brémond with a number that high and that it's most likely from F.C. Lecoultre or Perrelet. The Bulleid dating Chart #8 gives the takeover of the Lecoultre business by Perrelet in 1871 at around Serial #39,000 to which #38,818 is very close indeed. So, I will be registering this box as an early Perrelet produced during the handover period. The manner in which the Serial and Gamme numbers appear on the TS is the biggest clue; also, “Morgenblatter” by Strauss seems to be a common tune on Perrelet boxes.
Having checked my photos, all the serial number pointers are exactly as David suggests, so Perrelet it must be.
First thought to be by BA Brémond, but the MBSGB Registrar, David Wirral, thinks differently, and says ...
The most recent considered view is that Brémond ceased musical box production at around his Serial No 22,000, +/- a few either way, and that all higher serial numbers previously attributed to him are either by Rivenc or, as in this case FC Lecoultre or his successor Auguste Perrelet. I have discussed this with Tim Reed who agrees that it cannot be by Brémond with a number that high and that it's most likely from F.C. Lecoultre or Perrelet. The Bulleid dating Chart #8 gives the takeover of the Lecoultre business by Perrelet in 1871 at around Serial #39,000 to which #38,818 is very close indeed. So, I will be registering this box as an early Perrelet produced during the handover period. The manner in which the Serial and Gamme numbers appear on the TS is the biggest clue; also, “Morgenblatter” by Strauss seems to be a common tune on Perrelet boxes.
Having checked my photos, all the serial number pointers are exactly as David suggests, so Perrelet it must be.
Stage 1 - First inspection and making safe
A very oily mechanism. One has to wonder why anyone would think that covering a music box with sticky oil is going to be good for it. Fortunately, with this mechanism, apart from the oil, there is only good news.
All the components appear to be originals.
There is nothing broken, or missing.
Even the screw heads, in the main, are not burred or damaged.
The comb is in great shape, and there are only one or maybe two dampers missing.
The best news is that there are no significantly bent pins, in fact most pins are not bent at all. Got to be a first.
A very oily mechanism. One has to wonder why anyone would think that covering a music box with sticky oil is going to be good for it. Fortunately, with this mechanism, apart from the oil, there is only good news.
All the components appear to be originals.
There is nothing broken, or missing.
Even the screw heads, in the main, are not burred or damaged.
The comb is in great shape, and there are only one or maybe two dampers missing.
The best news is that there are no significantly bent pins, in fact most pins are not bent at all. Got to be a first.
Stage 2 - Dismantling
Dismantling always starts with removing the comb.
Then the stop lever can be removed and any tension in the spring motor can be allowed to run down until the cylinder feels loose.
In this case, the Geneva Stop is in place and therefore the mechanism stopped at the lower end of travel allowing the three main assemblies to be removed. The Governor, the spring motor and the cylinder. These were then stripped down to their individual components.
Dismantling always starts with removing the comb.
Then the stop lever can be removed and any tension in the spring motor can be allowed to run down until the cylinder feels loose.
In this case, the Geneva Stop is in place and therefore the mechanism stopped at the lower end of travel allowing the three main assemblies to be removed. The Governor, the spring motor and the cylinder. These were then stripped down to their individual components.
Stage 3 - Cleaning
The spring was removed from it's barrel and sprayed with degreaser, then left overnight.
All brass components were wiped clean of most of the oil and then put into a clock cleaning solution to soak overnight.
All steel components are wiped clean of most of the oil and then subjected to severe cycles in an ultrasonic bath which literally shakes off oil and dirt.
The cylinder has been given a first polish with an ammonia based cleaner, rinsed and dried.
The bedplate was degreased, rinsed and dried.
All steel component have been polished with a mild abrasive wheel. Those with a chrome plate finish were polished with a polishing compound.
The spring was removed from it's barrel and sprayed with degreaser, then left overnight.
All brass components were wiped clean of most of the oil and then put into a clock cleaning solution to soak overnight.
All steel components are wiped clean of most of the oil and then subjected to severe cycles in an ultrasonic bath which literally shakes off oil and dirt.
The cylinder has been given a first polish with an ammonia based cleaner, rinsed and dried.
The bedplate was degreased, rinsed and dried.
All steel component have been polished with a mild abrasive wheel. Those with a chrome plate finish were polished with a polishing compound.
Stage 4 - Brass polishing; bedplate and spring cleaning
The clock cleaner has done its job, so all the brass components, except for the cylinder, have been polished ready for reassembly.
The bedplate has been degreased, as has the spring. After removing all the old paint the bedplate has been treated with one good coat of Gilding Cream, left to dry and buffed.
The spring has been cleaned, re-greased and put back into its barrel.
The cylinder has had the second of its two polishes using Autosol. Then the few pins that required attention were straightened.
The clock cleaner has done its job, so all the brass components, except for the cylinder, have been polished ready for reassembly.
The bedplate has been degreased, as has the spring. After removing all the old paint the bedplate has been treated with one good coat of Gilding Cream, left to dry and buffed.
The spring has been cleaned, re-greased and put back into its barrel.
The cylinder has had the second of its two polishes using Autosol. Then the few pins that required attention were straightened.
Stage 5 - Reassembly
The Governor was first, and it runs nicely with little pressure. Always good to get that working well.
The Spring Motor was next, followed by the Cylinder.
All three main assemblies are now back onto the bedplate and testing has begun.
The Governor was first, and it runs nicely with little pressure. Always good to get that working well.
The Spring Motor was next, followed by the Cylinder.
All three main assemblies are now back onto the bedplate and testing has begun.
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Just a couple of pulls on the winder and it's off
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Comb temporary fix and first tune all the way through
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Testing has begun. It will take a few days for things to settle before the final tests and recordings.
Ah! That looks much better!
Stage 6 - The Case
I've dismantled the case and cleaned the outer surfaces.
One corner joint requires gluing.
The brass hinges and the lock have been in the clock cleaner prior to polishing.
I've found a period key to fit the lock and some red leather for the glass lid tab.
I've dismantled the case and cleaned the outer surfaces.
One corner joint requires gluing.
The brass hinges and the lock have been in the clock cleaner prior to polishing.
I've found a period key to fit the lock and some red leather for the glass lid tab.
There were a few old woodworm holes in the front and back panels. These have been filled with brown wax.
All the surface have been cleaned and several several coats of pure shellac applied and left to dry.
Later the exterior will be lightly rubbed down and several more coats of shellac applied.
All the surface have been cleaned and several several coats of pure shellac applied and left to dry.
Later the exterior will be lightly rubbed down and several more coats of shellac applied.
Stage 7 - Polishing
Case reassembly followed by reinstatement of the movement after thorough testing and some minor adjustment.
