An interesting bracket clock by an unknown maker.
The dial of this clock is signed Airdes J. Hodgson, Longtown but I am inclined to think he was the first owner rather than the maker. Reference to the book "Longtown The Last Town In England" by Gordon L. Routledge, page 28, reveals that a Captain John Airdes Hodgson, of the South Down Militia was a resident of Longtown in 1847. I am unable to trace him in the 1851 Census but a widow, Mrs Isabella Hodgson described as a "Proprietor of Houses" was a resident at 116 Graham Street. Possibly her husband was Captain John Airdes Hodgson. If anyone can provide any additional information I will be grateful.
The mahogany case and double fusee striking movement are of good quality and the bezel to the dial is of heavy cast brass.
The hands to the clock are unlikely to be original. The style of the clock suggests it was made in the 1820 - 1830 period and blued steel hands would be more appropriate. The calendar sub dial is quite unusual for a bracket clock.
The movement is firmly based on the English longcase style with the addition of spring barrels and fusees. It does not possess the normal strike arrangement associated with a bracket clock at this period. There are no cross pins to the barrel arbor to secure the ratchet clicks which I feel is rather dangerous. In general the workmanship is excellent but the maker was clearly unfamiliar with bracket clock movement design. It can just be seen that the strike hammer is attached to its arbor by a brass collet. John Blaylock (3) uses this arrangement on his LCR8 longcase housed in a London Mahogany case.
The dial is attached to the movement by a normal type of longcase falseplate but the falseplate has been considerably reduced in size at top and bottom to allow for fitting to the case.
20 May 2003