Tower
Clocks, c.1900
Mathias Schwalbach
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mathias Schwalbach was born in Prussia in 1834 and came to America in 1857. He first settled in Albany, NY and then moved to Syracuse, NY, for four years, leaving in 1863 for Milwaukee where he worked with C.F. Kleinsteuber. In 1873 Schwalbach established his own business and he is said to have produced his first clock movements and also held patents on typwriters and sewing machines.
Peculiar to this example and to many of his tower clock movements is the use of a remontoir pin wheel escapement with the pallets set in the upper end of the pendulum rod (note the suspension of the pendulum rod). A small coiled mainspring with the hub of the escape wheel lifts a series of levers that, by gravity, power the escapement at the motive power (weight) resets the tension of the spring. The three blade fan permits a smooth action during reset.
Donated by NAWCC Menomonee Valley Wisconsin
Chapter #47
80.92.1