How to dismantle a Longcase Clock

A longcase clock should always be dismantled before it is moved. The first step is to remove the hood of the case. Most longcase clocks hoods slide forward and can be removed. On a few clocks the hood is locked in place by a turn buckle or bolt fixed to the trunk immediately below the front of the hood. This is reached by opening the trunk door and feeling up inside. Sometimes a wooden bar is used which will usually be apparent when the door is opened. (A small number of very early clocks made prior to circa 1690 still have lift-up hoods rather than hoods that slide forward and are held by a catch in their raised position for winding. Although they are usually locked down by a spoon latch, this is automatically released when the trunk door is opened.)

The next stage is to remove the weights. To save the lines supporting the weights from getting tangled, particularly inside the movement, these are best let down. The easiest way of doing this is to keep the clock running until it stops with the weights at the bottom of the case.

Before unhooking the weights it is wise to get a friend to hold the movement steady in the case. The movements are front-heavy due to the dial, and as soon as the weights are removed, tend to fall forward out of the case, which does neither the movement nor the owner any good if it lands on his/her head. Nearly all clock dealers and restorers have suffered at least once in this way.

The next stage is to remove the pendulum. This is achieved by lifting it up about one-half inch, if possible by the small brass or steel block above the steel strip (suspension spring), then moving it back so that the steel strip comes out of the slot in which it is engaged. Great care is needed at this stage not to damage the spring. Finally, the pendulum may gently be lowered, allowing the suspension to pass down through and out of the crutch. It can now be removed from the case and if possible carefully fastened to a length of wood to prevent it from being damaged. While transporting the pendulum, please be careful not to damage the steel suspension spring.

The movement, complete with its seat board, may now be removed from the case and put safely in a box, care being taken to see that the crutch (see Photo) cannot be damaged. Occasionally the seatboard will be held in place with screws which will obviously have to be removed first.

Click Photo