A10250
Silver Pair Cased Debaufre
£2,300.00
Signed Jas Houghton Ormskirk
Hallmarked Chester 1815
Hallmarked Chester 1815
An early 19th Century English debaufre in silver pair cases.
Diameter 58 mm Depth 13 mm
Out of stock
Description
An early 19th Century English debaufre in silver pair cases. Full plate gilt keywind movement, the resting barrel formed from a series of strong pins leaving the blue steel mainspring exposed. Chased and engraved cock with polished steel pivot screw to adjust the end shake. Plain three arm polished steel balance with blue steel spiral hairspring, blue steel Bosley regulator. Debaufre escapement employing two polished steel escape wheels acting alternately on a single steel roller. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gold hands. Matching silver pair cases, silver oval pendant and bow, maker's mark “TE – HF”
In excellent overall condition. A rare escapement, also known as a chaffcutter, Ormskirk or club footed verge. It was the first frictional rest escapement invented by Debaufre in 1704. Rarely used until it was taken up by Lancashire makers early in the 19th Century. The escapement is not affected by variations in power as was the case with the verge and some watches dispense with the fusee. It is surprising they left mainspring exposed rather than enclosing it. See Chamberlain's “Its About Time” page 123 for a description of a similar escapement
