#antique — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #antique, aggregated by home.social.
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I bought this old photo a while back and I’m pretty sure that’s Robert Pattinson on the left.
Also, that kid is hella gangsta.
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What Is a Strike Train? A Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Clock Striking Mechanisms
If you have spent any time collecting or repairing antique clocks, you have probably come across the term strike train. For newcomers to the hobby, the expression may sound complicated, but the concept is actually quite simple.
In a mechanical clock, the strike section is the group of gears, levers, springs, and other components responsible for producing the clock’s striking function. The collection of those gears, levers, and springs is called the Strike Train.
In other words, it is the mechanism that allows a clock to strike the hours and, in some cases, the half-hours as well.
A mantel clock; the winding point for the time is on the right, while the winding point for the strike is on the leftNotice I did not use the word “chime”. Many confuse the words strike and chime. A strike is simply the strike of a rod (1,2,3 or even 4 rods) bell, or coil that produces a note(s). A chime is a musical tone, usually on the quarter hour, such as found on a Westminster “chiming” clock. Honestly, if we were both at a party talking about clocks and you called it a chime instead of a strike, I wouldn’t correct you unless you asked me whether that was the proper term.
Without a strike train, a clock would still be able to tell time, but it would remain silent. Clocks without a strike feature are called time-only clocks.
Most Mechanical Clocks Have Two Trains
Many spring-driven and weight-driven clocks contain two separate gear trains:
- The time train, which powers the hands and keeps time.
- The strike train, which powers the striking mechanism.
Some clocks, particularly those with more elaborate chime systems such as Westminster chimes, may have three trains: a time train, a strike train, and a chime train. Many of those clocks have three winding points on the dial face, one for each of the trains.
Occassioanlly you will find unusural clocks like a 2-train Westminsiter chime clock made by Sessions in the late 1920s.
When you wind a typical two-weight regulator or two-spring mantel clock, one weight or spring powers the time train, while the other powers the strike train. If you neglect to wind the strike side, don’t worry—the clock will continue to keep time. It simply won’t strike the hours until the strike-side weight is raised or the spring is wound again. The two trains operate independently of one another.
For a weight-driven clock, if only one side is wound, the other weight will not descend unless it is also wound. As a result, the clock will appear unbalanced to an observer.
A clock movement on a test standHow Does a Strike Train Work?
The strike train remains locked for most of the hour (or half hour). As the clock approaches a striking point, a series of cams, levers, and release mechanisms allows the train to begin moving, but just a little. This is called the warning phase, which usually lasts about 5 minutes.
Once released on the hour (or half hour), power from a mainspring or weight drives a sequence of gears that causes the hammer to strike a bell, gong, or chime rods.
All the levers on this rack and snail movement operate the strike trainThe clock then counts the appropriate number of strikes before the mechanism locks itself once again, waiting for the next striking cycle.
For example:
- One strike at 1:00
- Two strikes at 2:00
- Three strikes at 3:00
- And so on until twelve strikes at noon or midnight
This process occurs automatically and repeats day after day, often for decades or even centuries. as long as the clock is wound, of course.
What Parts Make Up a Strike Train?
Although designs vary from one manufacturer to another, most strike trains include:
- A power source (spring or weight)
- A series of gears and pinions
- A gathering pallet, (if rack and snail)
- A series of levers
- A warning mechanism
- A count wheel
- A hammer assembly
- A bell, gong, or strike rods
Each component has a specific job to perform. If any one of these parts becomes worn, bent, dirty, or improperly adjusted, the clock may fail to strike correctly or not at all.
A typical American time and countwheel strike movementCommon Strike Train Problems
Many antique clock owners eventually encounter issues related to the strike train.
Some common symptoms include:
- The clock strikes the wrong hour.
- The strike train stops midway through striking.
- The clock remains in warning and never completes the strike.
- The hammer fails to reach the gong.
- The strike train runs continuously without stopping.
In many cases, these problems are caused by accumulated dirt, dried oil, wear, or incorrect synchronization between the strike train and the motion work.
Fortunately, most issues can be diagnosed with careful observation and a basic understanding of how the mechanism operates.
Why Understanding the Strike Train Is Important
For clock collectors and hobbyists, understanding the strike train helps remove much of the mystery surrounding mechanical clocks.
When a clock strikes the wrong number of times or refuses to strike altogether, many people assume something is seriously broken. In reality, the problem is often a simple adjustment or a component that needs cleaning and lubrication.
Learning how the strike train works also provides a greater appreciation for the ingenuity of the clockmakers who designed these remarkable mechanisms centuries ago.
Final Thoughts
The strike train is one of the most fascinating parts of a mechanical clock. While the time train quietly keeps the hands moving, the strike train brings the clock to life by announcing the passing hours.
The next time you hear the rich sound of a gong or bell from an antique clock, take a moment to appreciate the intricate system of gears, levers, and springs working behind the dial. That sound is the result of a carefully engineered strike train performing the task it was designed to do many years ago.
Suggested Reading
https://antiquevintageclock.com/2025/02/14/on-my-workbench-type-89-movement-by-seth-thomas/
https://antiquevintageclock.com/tools-i-use/
https://antiquevintageclock.com/2022/05/10/do-i-really-need-a-clock-timer/
Rate this:
#American #antique #antiqueClock #art #clock #clockGears #clocks #collecting #collector #design #horology #snow #strikeTrain #timeAndStrike #travel -
“The alligator is a clever ambush predator, willing to lie in wait in surprising places….”
July 10, 2026. Holly Antiques. Holly, Michigan.
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As with the covers for any major magazine, some months had better art direction than other months.
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"Time to Say Goodbye" is an #EnglishLanguage song released by Greek-Swede duo #Antique. It was released as a CD Single with its #Greek version titled "Alli Mia Fora" (One More Time) in 2003 by #BonnierMusic in Scandinavian countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mdHmhI3cs -
Final resting place (Shaniko, OR, 2026)
Nice touch with the rope security.
#photography #fotografie
#fotografia #photographie #photography #pnw #monochrome #blackandwhite #abandoned #doorsday #auto #antique -
Ornate silver and agate box, Austria, 1911 AD
https://piefed.social/c/historyartifacts/p/2177553/ornate-silver-and-agate-box-austria-1911-ad
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Map of Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), 1826 AD copy of a 1562 AD original
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Map of Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), 1826 AD copy of a 1562 AD original
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Map of Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), 1826 AD copy of a 1562 AD original
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Map of Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), 1826 AD copy of a 1562 AD original
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Goblet, rock crystal and gold, Western Europe, 19th century AD
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Intrigue From 17th C. Shipwreck Carrying Moroccan Gold Coins is Solved After 30 Years
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Gold traveling menorah, the Netherlands, 1710 AD
https://piefed.social/c/historyartifacts/p/2171041/gold-traveling-menorah-the-netherlands-1710-ad
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Two Garden Ornaments Thought to be ‘Worthless Concrete’ Turn Out to be Italian Marble Busts Worth Thousands https://www.allforgardening.com/1844277/two-garden-ornaments-thought-to-be-worthless-concrete-turn-out-to-be-italian-marble-busts-worth-thousands/ #antique #architecture #art #england #garden #history #sculpture #surprise
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Two Garden Ornaments Thought to be ‘Worthless Concrete’ Turn Out to be Italian Marble Busts Worth Thousands
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A long time ago, in a printing shop far, far away…..
For #FotoVorschlag, “Heavy Metal” (and a late entry for “Zeitreise” / time travel)
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One from the archive: 'Ghost Signs for Sale Raise Ethical Questions'.
https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2020/10/ghost-signs-for-sale-raise-ethical-questions/
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Porcelain jar with flower openwork patterns, Korea, 18th century AD
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Pocket watch, gold, enamel, and rock crystal, England, ~1640 AD
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The Mystery of the Missing Book (The Antique Shop Mysteries)
"Attending a bustling local fair, Lina makes a thrilling discovery"
Sale: $3.99 to $0.99
by Judith Cutler
Rating: 4.1/5 (2,235 Reviews)
#books #booksky #mystery #thriller #suspense #cozy #antique #shop #village #kent #sleuth #crime
The Mystery of the Missing Boo... -
A beautiful condominium in Campden Hill Road, London. #antique #london #architecture #photography
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Glass bottle with silver decoration, the Netherlands, 1667 AD
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Gilded silver cup, the Netherlands, 1663 AD
https://piefed.social/c/historyartifacts/p/2160889/gilded-silver-cup-the-netherlands-1663-ad
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Poster advertising the reopening of the Chat Noir Cabaret, Paris, France, 1896 AD
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Poster advertising the reopening of the Chat Noir Cabaret, Paris, France, 1896 AD