English Fusee Bracket clock, or Officers’ Mess clock

Object Description

A quality timepiece bracket clock dating from the early 20th century, in a simple mahogany case with lively figuring in the veneers.

The case is very well presented; the architectural design features a triangular pediment, and it has a glazed rear door. The hinged cast brass bezel is fitted with convex beveled glass, and shuts securely with a discreet latch to the left side of the case. The underside of the base is branded S. DAVALL & Sons , Goswell Road, London. Stamped into the base also is the initials G.R, for George Rex, King George V. This indicates that the clock was made for His Majesty’s government.

This design of case was first in existence in the 1840s, made then by Vulliamy, clockmaker to Queen Victoria. It continued to be used as the design for government clocks for the next 100 years, eventually coining the unofficial title of an “Officers’ Mess clock”.

The silvered dial is in perfect condition. It is signed S. Davall and Sons, Goswell Road, London, and has black Roman numerals.

The chain fusee movement has a lockable pendulum.

Original matching steel hands.

Object History

History of the clockmakers
Stephen Davall was born in 1863 and started clockmaking in 1884 (1888?). His son Leonard joined him in 1912, followed in 1918 by his second son Reginald. The firm of S. Davall & Sons was formed in 1925. They made both wall clocks and mantel clocks for the RAF, probably only in the year 1929. The company was sold in 1933 to Dimier Brothers, who carried on the business under the name S. Davall & Sons in St. John Street, Clerkenwell. [source: A History of Clocks in the RAF, by Lt. Col. Bob Gardner]

Object Condition

The movement is yet to be overhauled, but this will be carried out within our workshops, and it will be sold with a 3-year guarantee.

Object Details