Consolidated Time Lock Co., Cincinnati, Ohio - 2 movements

     A

     B

  C

A. A rare example of the original glass in tact, c. 1885. Note how the balance wheels are in a horizontal position being driven by the movement train through a contrate wheel which allows for the change in position. This feature was a hallmark of the Consolidated company. A balance wheel operating in this position has less frictional force on its' arbor and thus, all other things being equal, will be more accurate. No other company used this arrangement. Case#5594, movement #5594. file 7

B. This lock displays a case in an unusually good condition, c. 1884.  The surface plating of these locks suffered from corrosion more often than most, perhaps due to some flaw in the plating process. This company and it's predecesor, Hall Safe & Lock, often elaborately decorated the sides of their locks with  'Spirograph' , floral or even pictorial type designs. Note the extensive use of metal engraving decoration known as damascene. Many if not most of the time lock made before the 1920's were extensively engraved and damascened. This was done to better convince the buyer that these were quality pieces of reliable machinery (which most were) to entrust the security of the vault and its' valuables. It was also a marketing tool to justify their substantial cost. Some time locks ran over $500.00 in late 1870's to early 1880's dollars! See Yale #1 and S&G #2. Case #3234, movement #3234. file 38

C. A post 1900 version of Consolidated's time lock movements, abandoning E. Howard's horizontally mounted balance wheel movement for Elgin Watch movements. Notice the shock resistant spring mountings for each lock. Consolidated and it's earlier incarnation as Hall Safe & Lock paid special attention to their case decorating. Here, although the design is plain, they do a different pattern on the sides ver. the door. Case #1271, movements #8170, #8171. file 80