Welch, Spring and Company, the Rustic. An Illuminating Alarm Clock. D. M. Charters PATENT. Alarm CLOCK. PATENTED OCTOBER 21, 1873. 225043.
This clock answers the triple purpose of a timepiece, a burglar, and a fire alarm. When activated, the clock strikes a bell with a hammer inside the case. It also lights an oil lamp located on the top of the case.
This is not your usual Welch & Spring-made 9-inch cottage clock. This basic form was put into production by other clockmaking firms as early as 1852 and was made in significant numbers, suggesting its popularity. The Welch, Spring & Co's "Rustic" Model discussed here is a notable example in that the top of the case is fitted with D. M. Charters' Patent Alarm Mechanism.
Charters' patent was a device designed to be used as an alarm. Charters was granted his improved patent on October 21, 1873, patent number 143881. The patent was filed on August 29, 1873, by D. M. Charters of Xenia, Ohio. Jacob Horner and Francias Harris witnessed the application.
This cottage clock model was cataloged as the "Rustic" model and features an unusually complex design in a combination of black walnut and rosewood. Most of the surfaces are decorated with a linear pattern neatly grooved into the surface of the wood. The upper gallery features an applied ripple molding. The clock's access door is trimmed with gilt-finished moldings. Both tablets are paint-decorated from the back. The upper section's gilt designs form spandrels and frame the dial opening, while the lower tablet is decorated with a bird of prey theme.
The brass movement is a Welch product. It is key-wound, spring-powered, and designed to run for thirty hours when fully wound. It also has a spring-powered alarm. The alarm hammer strikes a cast iron bell mounted inside the case to the backboard. This is a standard setup.
The Maker's label is pasted onto the backboard inside the case. This label reads, "MANUFACTURED BY / WELCH, SPRING & CO. / FORESTVILLE, CONN., / U.S.A. / PATENT APPLIED FOR." Charters' edition uses a spring-loaded sliding carriage to light the match, which will light the oil lamp. A clamp, mounted to the sliding carriage, consists of two jaws with serrations on their inner sides. These will light the match by frictional contact when the carriage is released.
How does this device work? Let's break it down. A clamp is located on the side of the oil lamp. This clamp is designed to secure the wooden match in the ready position. The match is positioned or suspended across the top of the lamp, which houses its fuel and wick. The firing tip of the match is positioned inside the serrated jaws of the clamp mounted to the spring-loaded carriage. The spring-tensioned carriage is manually loaded and locked into place by sliding it into a forward-ready position. When the carriage is triggered, it slides backward, forcing the match head to rub against the serrated surfaces of the clamp, lighting or firing the match. Once fired, the wooden match begins to burn along its length, thus lighting the oil lamp or burner. The lamp illuminates the room.
To use the burglar alarm, a mount on the right side of the case connects the alarm release inside the mechanism to as many as four wires or strings on the outside of the case. These are tied to or attached to a door, window, or anything you wish to protect. The string transfers the movement of the item via the wire. The tension in the wire triggers the mechanism, causing the illuminating mechanism to go into action. The fire on the lamp will illuminate the room.
We have seen several variations of this design on numerous clock forms, including a steeple clock and several other versions of cottage cases. Various Makers made these examples. I suspect many of these novelty clocks have burned up over the years. It is easy to imagine the clock being pulled or vibrating off the table, chest, etc., while broadcasting the alarm. The result could send the clock and oil lamp onto the floor.
Inventory number 225043.
The Welch, Spring & Co. was formed in 1868 to produce a better quality clock than its parent label, E. N. Welch. The clocks produced incorporated high-quality wood in the construction of their cases and a higher level of detail work. As a result, Welch & Spring Clocks were often more expensively priced.
Elisha Niles Welch was born on February 7, 1809. He Had many ventures in clock-related businesses over his lifetime. He was the first Bristol Brass and Clock Co. President in 1850. He absorbed many clock businesses over a relatively short period. In 1864, he formed them into the E. N. Welch Mfg. Co, Some of those acquisitions included the Manross clock business in Forestville, J.C. Brown, John Birge, Frederick Otis, and Irenus Atkins. Welch was also a world traveler and a lover of the arts and music. He often invited guests to his house and provided them with entertainment. Several clock models were named after his talented entertainment. One popular model, the “Patti V. P.” was named after the prodigy vocalist, “Adelina Patti.” Adelina was a soprano prima donna. She is described as a beautiful woman who was wealthy, liberated, and a nonconformist. She was very popular with men.
Solomon Crosby Spring, SC, was born on January 29, 1826, in Grandby, Connecticut and died in 1906. He was the son of Thomas Spring and Candace Holcomb. SC began his career in the business of designing, manufacturing and managing clock-related activities. He worked for S. B. Terry in Terryville and later moved to Bristol. By 1858, he was in business for himself as S. C. Spring. This company was the successor to the Birge, Peck, & Company. Solomon retired from clock-making in 1895.
