Isaac Simmons Regulator

Isaac Simmons Regulator Notes

 

 

12” round dial signed I (Isaac) Simmons 7 St Ann’s Square Manchester.

 

Isaac Simmons b.1806 Liverpool – died – retired 1871? Opened jewellers in 1822. Long Millgate, by 1832 had moved to fashionable 9 St Ann’s Square. By April 1851 he had moved again to no 7. (letter to Manchester Guardian, see below)

 

Plate below tray scale engraved Arnold & Lewis successors to I Simmons watch & clock manufactures. (W. 1871 – 1888.) No markings to rear.

 

 

Movement

 

Massive construction, plates measure 7 7/16” x 9 3/8” thickness .2”. 5 pillars, screwed at both ends. The scape, centre and hour wheel front pivots supported by bridges. Brass seat-board, supported by 2 cast brass brackets, the movement secured by 3 angle brackets with knurled hand screws to the seat-board.

 

Bevel gear for side winding. Original crank winding key with long shaft.

 

Graham deadbeat Escapement with jewelled pallets. All wheelwork with 6 spokes, screw mounted to collets.

 

Harrison type maintaining power.

 

Large adjustable endstops throughout train - see fig 18-11B Roberts.

 

No markings or makers name on movement.

 

Movement +Dial weighs 19lbs. 10oz

Weight 6lbs 11oz.

 

 

Wheel Count:

 

Great Wheel 168 teeth – Barrel with 14 turns

 

Hour drive idler wheel 144 teeth

 

Centre Wheel 112 teeth, 12 leaf pinion

 

Intermediate Wheel 105 teeth, 14 leaf pinion

 

Scape Wheel 30 teeth. 14 leaf pinion

 

Pendulum

 

Frodsham/Dent type metal jar mercury compensated pendulum, with weight tray for fine adjustment. The tapered scale on the backboard numbered 1 –12 is for recording the position of the tray on the pendulum rod. The bold Arabic numerals match those of the minute ring.

 

The pendulum is hung from a separate brass bracket mounted on the backboard. This is adjustable via 2 hand screws to ensure precise alignment of the pendulum with the beat scale. Beat setting is provided by a threaded yoke and clutch arrangement at the top of the pendulum crutch.

 

Beat scale with shaped ends similar to fig 18-10 & 18-11 Roberts. The rear of the scale is scratched with the initials JL, could this be an engravers note indicating the scale was a job for John Leyland?

 

Pulley similar to Condliff Regulator pulley

 

Dial

 

Standard regulator layout, hour sub dial engraved 1-12. Seconds sub dial with 5 second bars.

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

Wall mounted Oak, Gothic/Aesthetic styling. Backboard is constructed of 3 planks 2” thick, joined with biscuits. Door is secured with 2 latches now lacking-lock never fitted. Cast brass hinges, no makers marks.

 

A void in the top of the case was investigated, on the underside of the top panel a stencil was discovered………….. for further investigation.

 

The bold styling of the case could suggest that is was made to an architects design.

 

Alfred Waterhouse opened his first practice at Cross Street Chambers Manchester, early in1854. A prestigious city centre address less than 5 minutes walk to St Ann’s square.

 

Waterhouse restored St Ann’s church Manchester.

 

The major remodelling of St Ann's was carried out between 1887-89 under Alfred Waterhouse, architect of Manchester Town Hall.

Done