Belding D. (B.D.) Bingham Nashua, New Hampshire. A wall regulator of the finest quality designed for use by clock and watch repairmen, watchmen/security guards, or they were installed in banks, public offices, and large rooms. CCC-60.
A relatively small number of clockmakers are known to have made regulator clocks that share this very popular form. This is partly because the form was introduced during the transition from people-made clocks to clocks that clock companies made. Simon Willard was the first to have introduced this large banjo format, measuring approximately 4 feet 2 inches long, in the 1830s. Soon his partnership of Simon Willard & Son was making them. Based on the number of examples that appear in the marketplace, they made a relatively small number. Interestingly, the Willard versions made them with two different grades of mechanisms. The most basic of which was weight powered and featured a deadbeat escapement. This simple mechanism did not incorporate a second hand or retaining power. This is the example that appears most often today. Soon their competitors also made their own versions in very limited quantities. B. D. Bingham in Nashua and Joesph N. Dunning of Burlington, VT, are known to have made this form. These clockmakers made their clocks in the 1835-1850 time period. In the 1850s, the game changed. The factories of Howard & Davis and then the E. Howard Clock Co. made and sold hundreds of examples. It is their clocks that most collectors today are familiar with. These factory-made examples are also made to a very high standard. The cases were constructed in cherry and decorated with graining. The movements are robust and are excellent quality. They are also excellent timekeepers.
In my opinion, the B D Bingham examples are the best of the group. The cases are mahogany, and the movements are consistently the finest made. The example discussed below is representative of the group. It is an outstanding example and is signed both on the dial and the works.
The case is constructed in mahogany and retains an older mellow surface. The rich nut brown coloring is excellent. This clock features three doors that are hinged and open from the left. All three doors can be locked closed with a key. The lower two wooden frames are subtly shaped with veneer. The rounding of the front of the frames creates visual depth. The veneer is positioned perpendicular to the subframe. As a result, the mahogany veneer has experienced areas of shrinkage, adding to the character of this wonderful case form. The frames are fitted with their original reverse-painted tablets or glasses. As is the tradition of these early regulator examples, the colors featured are black and gold. The gilt framing conforms to the shape of the case. Both of these tablets are in excellent original condition. For the most part, the centers of both glasses are left undecorated so one can see the pendulum's side-to-side motion. In the throat section, the wooden pendulum rod is covered in brass and is visible through the center. At times, you will also get a glimpse of the brass pulley and the black cast-iron drive weight. The weight hangs behind the pendulum. The gilt work is in excellent condition. The lower glass frames the brass-faced pendulum bob. This decorated glass is also in excellent original condition. "REGULATOR" is painted in the center of the gilt oval. The turned wooden mahogany dial bezel is fitted with clear glass and protects the dial.
The heavy iron dial measures 12 inches in diameter. The time ring features a closed minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial and hand are located below the hour numeral XII. This dial is signed by the Maker, "B. D. BINGHAM / NASHUA," above the Roman hour numeral VI. You may also notice that this clock also winds in this somewhat central location just above the signature. The open moon steel hands are finely shaped.
The weight-driven movement is constructed in brass and is of excellent quality. It is designed to run for eight days on a full winding. The four pillars that support the two heavy brass trapezoid-shaped plates are turned and shaped. A semi-circle is cut out from the bottom of both. The movement is mounted inside the case to the backboard with tabs that catch the backplate. The front plate is die-stamped with the Maker's name. This jeweler's stamp reads, "B.D.BINGHAM." A separate die-stamp below it reads, "NASHUA." Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and the delicate brass gearing. The winding drum is grooved to accept the weight cord. A deadbeat escapement and maintaining power are incorporated into the movement design. The works are powered by a cast iron weight that descends through the center of the case. The pendulum is mounted to the front of the movement and hangs from a T-bridge and suspension. The wooden rod and the large, heavy lead nine-inch bob are decoratively sheathed in brass. As a result of the construction of these movements, clocks like this vary only seconds a month and are excellent timekeepers.
This fine wall clock was made circa 1840. It measures 4 feet 2 inches long, 20.25 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep.
Inventory number CCC-60.
Belding Dart (B.D.) For most of his life, Bingham worked primarily as a Watchmaker in Nashua, New Hampshire. He is also reported to have worked briefly in the cities of Lowell, Waltham, and Roxbury, Massachusetts. It appears he had a working association with Leonard W. Noise and, for a short time, with Fisher Thayer and J.S. Warner. The quality of his clockwork is outstanding.
Bingham was born in Shoreham, Addison, Vermont, on July 5, 1812. His parents were Ira Bingham and Jane (Dart) Bingham. Sometime in the early 1830s, B.D. appears in Nashua, NH, and is working with Leonard W. Noyes as a clockmaker. A timepiece is known that has a dial signed, “Warranted by L. W. Noyes,” and the movement is inscribed “B. D. Bingham, maker 1834.” B.D. married Mary Brown on November 15, 1836. In 1838, B.D. advertises in the Nashua Gazette that he has taken the store of L. W. Noyes in the Long Block, Main Street. Here he sells clocks, watches, jewelry, etc. He is also servicing or repairing all sorts of items. In 1850, it appears he took a residence on Pearl Street. In 1852, he moved with his family to San Francisco, California. He stays there for approximately a year before he returns to Nashua. In 1859-1862, the Nashua Watch Company was formed. B.D. is one of the founding members. In 1865-1866, B.D. serves as the superintendent of the Tremont Watch Company. This is during the absence of A. L. Dennison. During this time, B.D. is reported to have been living on Eustis Street in Roxbury. In 1868, he moved back to Nashua and remained there until he died on October 4, 1878.
A small number of Bingham clocks are documented. These include floor model astronomical regulators, large wall (Banjo Style) regulators, and gallery clocks. The large regulators appear more commonly. It seems an example is offered for sale publically once every five or more years. From 1834 to approximately 1842, the Nashua directories, documented examples, and numerous advertisements indicate or state that B.D. Bingham is a clockmaker. After 1842, the directories and advertisements did not include the word clockmaker but continued to use the word watchmaker. It would appear that he had ceased making clocks after 1842.
