Cabinate Door

by David
(San Jose)

Why do grandfather clocks have a key to lock the door to the weights and pendulum instead of a nice looking knob?

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Dec 11, 2011
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Locks on Grandfather clocks
by: Dave

Thank you all for your comments and history lesson. Much appreciated.

Dec 11, 2011
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locking the door - - -
by: Andrew

When Grandfather and other clocks were new, they were expensive status symbols, the people who owned them often had servants or staff.

The owner of the house/clock often saw it as his job to wind up the clock, no-one else was allowed to even touch it - - - Hence the lock on the door !

Some grandfather clocks also have a wooden arm inside the case, which locks the hood glass door from inside too, so both doors locked for the price of one lock - - -

The tea-caddies or boxes of the time were also locked, tea was so expensive the staff were watched carefully to ensure they did not help themselves !

Regards,
Andrew.

http://www.clockmakersandrepairs.co.uk

Dec 10, 2011
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Safety for the user and the clock?
by: Anonymous

To keep idle hands from damaging the works or even worse possibly tipping the clock over!

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