Looking for an Original Set of Keys for Emilian Wehrle Clock

[John1948]

Hallo,

I am in the process of restoring a ca. 1880 Emilian Wehrle 8-day, 9-horn flute shelf clock that I recently added to our collection (please see attached photo). The clock is approximately 122 cm tall. Unfortunately, all the original keys for the music, time and strike trains have been lost over time.

Therefore I am trying to find a set of original Wehrle keys to complete the restoration of this clock. I have attached a photo of some original Wehrle keys. Does anyone know any dealers or collectors that might have any original Wehrle keys that I could buy? The larger T-shaped key is for the music train and fits a arbor that is approximately 6.8-7.2 mm in diameter. The smaller key is for both the time and strike trains and fits a arbor that is approximately 5.0-5.2 mm in diameter.

If anyone can direct me to find the original keys I would be most grateful. This clock is an example of old Black Forest clockmakers' craftsmanship at its best and it needs to be wound with dignity

Vielen Dank!

MFG,

John

[karlo]

I think, this will be hard to find.
Good luck

Karlo

[walter der jüngere]

Hello,

perhaps you may have luck here:

Uhrenbörse Eisenbach, 16th &17th of April 2011:
http://www.antikuhrenboerse-eisenbach.de/

and:

Uhrenbörse Furtwangen, 27th & 28th of August 2011:
http://www.antik-uhrenboerse.info/10.html

Good luck!

With kind regards

Walter d. J. (Moderator)

[soaringjoy]

Greetings John,

welcome here on the DGC - MB.

That really is a fine clock, you're showing, and yes, it
should be wound with dignity.

As already said, I also fear, the keys will be
terribly hard to find.
I can't remember seeing such keys at all up to now.

If not just waiting for pure coincidence, of course the
mentionend antique clock markets would be the best
chance ever to find those keys... all you need is a lot of
time and a little bit of luck.

Did you try the "Black Forest clockies" at the NAWCC
yet?

BG,
Jurgen

[John1948]

Thank you everyone for your kind responses. I think you are all very correct-it will be difficult to find original Wehrle keys. I think I am just hoping that it will not be impossible

If anyone hears of some for sale, please let me know. I will pay more than a fair price for the proper keys.

Jürgen, I did try the Blackforestclocks forum, and some members do have some, but none are for sale.

MFG,

John

P.S. I noted a mistake in my original posting: The clock has nine wooden pipes, not horns. I think I must already be dreaming of finding a Wehrle 9-horn Trumpeter as well

[John1948]

Walter d.j.

I would very much like to come to visit the Eisenbach and Furtwangen Clock Fairs. Is the Furtwangen fair much larger than the Eisenbach fair? I probably would be only able to attend one of the fairs, so I obviously would like to attend the fair where the best quality clocks are offered. Which fair would you most recommend?

[soaringjoy]

John,

the Furtwangen market is probably the largest in Europe,
whereas the Eisenbach market is more a "family thing",
not overcrowded and especially well suited for contacts
to BF collectors.

Let me see, what you could do, is to contact these fellows:

http://www.f-h-u.de/index.html

It is one of the most "very elite" clubs concerning antique clocks
in Germany and I suppose, if they don't know, noboby does.

Regards,
Jürgen