Belding D. (BD) Bingham Nashua, New Hampshire. A wall regulator of the finest quality designed for use by watchmen or installed in banks, public offices of large rooms. 219122.

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 were made by clock companies. The first to have introduced this large banjo form, measuring approximately 4 feet 2 inches long, was the partnership of Simon Willard & Son in the early 1830s. Based on the number of clocks that appear in the marketplace, they made a relatively small number of examples. Interestingly, it appears that they 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 secondhand or retaining power. This is the example that appears most often today. Soon their competitors also made their own versions. The examples that we see today in very limited quantities were made by B. D. Bingham in Nashua and those made by Joesph N. Dunning of Burlington, VT. These clockmakers made their clocks in the 1835-1850 time period. In the 1850s, the game changed. The Howard & Davis firm 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 examples are 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, this B D Bingham example is the best of the group. The cases are mahogany, and the movements are the finest made. This is an outstanding example and is signed both on the dial and the works. 

The case is constructed in mahogany and retains and original surface. The rich nut brown coloring is excellent. The wooden frames are subtly shaped with veneer. The rounding of the front of the frames creates visual depth. The veneer is placed so that the grain is positioned in a perpendicular orientation to the subframe. As a result, the mahogany veneer has experienced shrinkage cracks which add 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 the traditional black and gold. The centers of both decorated glasses are left undecorated so one can see the motion of the pendulum. In the throat section, the wooden pendulum rod is covered in brass and would be visible through the center. You may also be able to get a glimpse of the brass-covered weight and the brass pulley which hangs behind the pendulum. The painted decoration in this throat location is original. The gilt work is in excellent condition. The black has experienced some losses. The lower glass frames the brass-faced pendulum bob. This decorated glass is also in excellent original condition. The gilt pattern is unusual and nicely presented. The turned wooden mahogany bezel is fitted with clear glass. This protects the dial.

The heavy iron dial measures 12 inches in diameter. The time ring is composed of 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," above the Roman hour numeral VI. You may also notice that this clock also winds in this somewhat central location. 

The form is very impressive. This B D Bingham example features a mahogany case that measures approximately 4 feet 2 inches long. The dial measures 12 inches in diameter and is painted on iron. The time ring is composed of 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," above the hour numeral VI. You may also notice that this clock winds in this location. The mahogany frames feature subtle shaping. These are fitted with glass. The upper bezel is fitted with clear glass that protects the dial. The throat tablet is paint-decorated for the back. The outside border is black, and a gilt framing conforms to the shape of the case. The center of this is not decorated so that one can view the brass-covered pendulum rood, the brass-covered weight, and the unusual brass pulley. The lower glass is also paint-decorated in black and gold. Gold is the dominant color and forms a frame for the pendulum bob. This is an unusual design. All three glasses are original to this example. Paint loss is evident in the black field of the throat tablet. 

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. Four turned and shaped pillars support the two heavy brass plates. These are shaped like a trapezoid. 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 stamp below it reads, "NASHUA." Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and the fine 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 with a brass-covered lead 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 is cherry and decoratively covered in brass and supports a large, heavy lead nine-inch bob. As a result of the construction of these movements, clocks like this vary only seconds a month and are excellent timekeepers. 

This clock was made circa 1840. It measures 4 feet 2 inches long, 20.25 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep.

Inventory number 219122.