Schwarzwälder Metzgeruhr

[blackforestclocks]

Hallo,

Greetings from the USA.

Please forgive me for writing in English, but my German is not good. I am currently doing my best to learn the language and hope to be communicating in German soon

I am a collector of Black Forest clocks, and hope to meet others here on the DGC who share a similar interest. If there are others who share this interest please contact me.

I know there is a no small talk policy, so I hope this introduction is OK.

I recently acquired a clock for my collection that I would like to share with the forum.

This clock is called a butcher clock or "Metzgeruhr".

On the hour the ox stands up and is hit on the head with the axe, once for each hour with the blow to the gong.

When the strike sequence is finished, the ox falls over dead! He lies on the ground until the next hour.

The movement in this clock is interesting, the wood plate movement has two count wheels located on the back plate. They are stacked on top of each other. The inner count wheel controls the strike sequence, the outer wheel controls the ox.

I have uploaded a few photos here...and also have a video of the clock in action and I will post it here if I can figure out how to do it.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Justin J. Miller


The link below should show a video of the clock in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhWBJOfmng

[Uhrmacher 19]

Welcome Justin,

very nice Clock
Can you show as more Pictures?

Best regards,
Jörg

[blackforestclocks]

Hi Jörg,

Yes I can show as many photos as you would like.

Any specifics?

Justin

[steffl62]

Hello Justin,
welcome here! It's a verry fine and rare clock you show us here.
Do you have any informations about the manufacturer or the origin?

nice greetings from Vienna!
Christian

[s.hartig]

Hi Justin,

last week in the german ebay a very similar clock was sold for approx. Euro 1400,-- (article 160556623257, you may find the auction by copying this number in the "search" field at ebay.com). Attached find some photos copied from the article description.

Kind regards
Stefan

[blackforestclocks]

Thank you all for the kind welcome!

To answer some of your questions:

This Metzgeruhr was made in the Black Forest c 1850-60... and is totally original. He was found in northern Italy in very dirty untouched condition. After a good cleaning he is now looking beautiful.

The movement does not have wood spindles and the trains are side to side. It would be nice if it was of the earlier style of construction but I can not be too picky

About the clock on ebay:

Unfortunately there has been many fakes made of these automaton clocks in recent years...and because of this one must be very careful.

The clock that sold on ebay was not what it seemed.

Without having the clock in my hands, (or at least high quality photographs) it is impossible to tell the extent of problems, but without question the shield is completely new! Of course as a collector I do not like to see these fakes which hurt the originals.

[blackforestclocks]

Hi,

I do have passion for these clocks.

I think many collectors knew the clock was not correct, as the price stayed very low ... but it makes you wonder if someone bought the clock knowing it was not correct, or thought they got a very good deal???

[blackforestclocks]

For those who have an interest in the Black Forest shield clocks with automation, this Snap-clock or "Schnappuhr" should be of interest.

The eyes move with the pendulum. The mouth "Snaps" with each strike to the bell.

This example has wood spindles and uses ropes to power the movement.

Also an original piece.

A video to see it in action is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLDj-1V1oeA

[steffl62]

Hello Justin,
thanks for the presentation of this exceptional clock.
What I can see on the Picture It's in a verry fine condition.
Had you buyed it so or was they restored by yourself?

ng Christian

[blackforestclocks]

Hi Christian,

The "Schnappuhr" has had no restoration work on the shield. It is in very good original condition. I did clean the movement and do the adjusting.

I found this clock in the USA, it was owned by the same family for over 100 years. They immigrated to the US in the early 1900's and brought the clock with them.

It has its original pendulum weights and side doors which is nice.