The Seth Thomas No. 113 Westminster Chime movement was introduced about 1921 and is a large, heavy movement. The number “113″ is usually stamped on the back. These movements are very reliable. Their weak point is the strong mainsprings contained in going barrels. If a mainspring breaks, gear teeth may be damaged, so repairs can get expensive.
I repaired an example called “Chime Clock No. 75″ made about 1921. The movement hadn’t been serviced for years, and the oil was sticky. As I was letting down the time mainspring, I heard a quiet “click” – that sound was the mainspring breaking and tearing 3 teeth from the mainspring barrel. I disassembled and cleaned the movement and sent the barrel to my gear maker for a new gear. I completed the overhaul process (see below) and now the clock runs like new.
Repair job 6368. Gear T2 needed repivoting, as the breaking mainspring bent its rear pivot. I polished the other pivots, installed 10 bushings, and noticed that the rear pivot on gear C1 had been repivoted in the past. I installed a new time mainspring. I cleaned the chime and strike mainsprings, and they were in good condition.