Sessions Mantle Clock - Repaired May 2011

Here we have a Sessions mantle clock needing repair.





From the initial observation the previous repair job was not done correct.  I suspect the repairman did not have the proper tools.  Notice the brass addition at the top of this picture.  The previous repairman crowded the escape wheel hole with a piece of brass instead of installing a new brass busing.




The front plate along needed 7 bushings.  And the back 8.

Here is the clock completely torn apart.  

There were 15 warn pivot holes that needed repair.  5 clock wheel pivots that needed polishing.  The mainspring clicks and click springs were in good working order.  The mainsprings, although slightly set, are sufficient to power the clock.  The leather in the hammer was old and small.  This was replaced with old new stock leather.

When the customer brought the clock in for repair, oil was everywhere.  Oil was coming out of the clock hand posts.  When the clock parts were set on white paper on the bench, it was like having fresh french fry marks all over the paper.  This was all cleaned and hi-grade clock oil applied to all the appropriate parts. 

After all the work was performed on the clock.  The clock was tested out of the case, when everything was working well it was installed in the case and tested again.  Here is the finished clock ready to go home:

For all you clock historians, here is a short history of the Sessions Clock Company:

At the turn-of-the 20th century, the E. N. Welch clock making firm was struggling. They used a local foundry to produce their castings. The foundry owner's son, William E. Sessions, took an interest in horology and, along with other Sessions family members, bought controlling interest in the E. N. Welch Company.  The factory location was in Forestville, CT.

In 1903 the firm’s name was changed and the Sessions Clock Company was organized. Under William's management the firm produced all components of their line of clocks, including movements, cases, dials, artwork and castings.

Sessions realized that the future of clock making was moving to electricity so, in 1930, the company expanded to produce electric clocks, timers for radios, televisions and other devices. They also continued to manufacture traditional brass mechanical movements.

In 1956, Sessions was absorbed by a company interested primarily in their timing devices. Kept as the Sessions Company, the new owners ran the firm until 1969, when a decline in business forced its liquidation.