Restoration Stockall

Stockall: Restoration

My thanks again to John Fothergill for finding me this very rare and old (c.1905) Stockall time recorder which we had never seen before, and which I restored in 2020. It must be one of the most compact (36″ tall), accurate, precision-built, and unique machines that I have ever come across, and is possibly one of the first card recorders made in the UK. Presumably, the quality is a result of all design and manufacturing processes having been carried out by a precision clock maker at the time, unlike other time recorder manufacturers. As such, I have included many photos and descriptions of this impressive time recorder to document its quality and unique features. I would be very interested to hear from anyone in possession of the same model, or one similar.

The case is constructed from solid oak panels, with jointed sections forming the rear panel.

Two steel bars run down the inside of the case which support both the clock movement and stamping mechanism.

The recorder is designed to be wall-mounted only, with decorative woodwork beneath the bottom plinth.

The clock has a very accurate 8-day fusee movement, which I assume Stockall used in clocks that they supplied to the military and similar organisations.

The left-hand enclosed spring winds the fusee chain. The right-hand enclosed spring drives the 12-hour change in the stamping mechanism, using a different size key.

The stamping mechanism is advanced manually by lever, in 12-hour steps. The brass pendulum bob is suspended on a flat brass rod. Brass universal joints and steel rods connect the movement to the stamping mechanism.

A removable brass clamp holds the pendulum during transit, and can be stored within the clock’s casing while the clock is in use.

The stamping mechanism actually consists of two separate units. One unit operates the hours and minutes print wheels, driven by one rod from the clock movement. Another unit is employed for control of the stamping lever, ribbon drive, and 12-hour shift change, driven by the second rod from the secondary movement spring.

The print wheel mechanism sits inside the main mechanism. These are both mounted on a steel plate which, in turn, is mounted on the two internal steel bars on the back of the case.

Interestingly, the serial number (1088) appears on several metal components, some of which are hidden from view until dismantled, as well as on the inside of the cabinet. Assuming that the first serial number in the series would have been 1001 rather than 01, this clock’s number implies that it was the 88th unit in the production run. Unfortunately, I do not have any records of Stockall serial numbers relating to dates – any further information would be most welcome!

This is the only UK recorder I am aware of to feature the maker’s name carved or stamped, with Bundy-like floral decoration, into the door.

The dial is unique, in that it has two additional small hands to indicate the day and night shift hour time in numbers. Both hands are retained by pins.

Unlike later Stockall models, all of the fascia fittings and the card holder are made of brass. The brass on/off lever is lockable by the employer.