No.170 Antique Timepiece Support Spindle - Circa 1840 R. Johnstone of London Verge Fusee Movement- Free Shipping (US Only)

ON SALE... 40% off (due to minor scratches on top-side decorative plate that I didn't see before coating it in the epoxy resin finish)  

Antique Timepiece (aka Steampunk/ ONE OF A KIND) TIBETAN STYLE/SIZE Support Spindle No.170 - Circa 1840 Verge Fusee Pocket Watch Movement Plates by R. Johnstone of London, England and Antique Clock Wheels

WEIGHT: 2.7 oz. (78g), WHORL: 1.65” (42) diameter, SHAFT: Larger Diameter .141" (3.6mm) diameter x 8.3" (21.1 cm) length in Metallic Hot Magenta

Crafted from a circa 1840 verge fusee pocket watch movement by R. Johnstone of London, the centerpiece of this spindle is the decorative upper plate, which was completely disassembled, cleaned, lathe turned/polished, then fully reassembled, adorned with crystals, and two thick layers of epoxy resin were added for a no-snag and long life finish. PARTS USED:  The upper plate, pillar plate (plate with pillars that sits just under the dial) numerous antique watch and clock gears (for balance and spacers between plates) a 1/8" thick acrylic disc, a c.1800 brass clock gear, a carved piece of another upper plate (bottom side - used for balancing), a gold plated bead cap.  All components are mounted to a Hot Magenta color spring steel shaft with a heat forged hook - with a industrial 2-part epoxy.

This is a VERY WELL BALANCED and HEAVY weight spindle that spins forever;  it will work wonderfully for spinning a wide variety of fibers.

HISTORY - FUSEE STYLE MOVEMENTS:  a fusee (from the French fusée, wire wound around a spindle) is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, wound with a cord or chain which is attached to the mainspring barrel.  Fusees were made throughout Europe and The US and used in portable pocket watches from the early 1600’s - early 1900’s to improve timekeeping by equalizing the uneven pull of the mainspring as it ran down.  Fusee movements were eventually fazed out and by the mid 19th century; Swiss and American watchmaking industries exclusively employed the going barrel with the cylinder escapement - significantly improving timekeeping precision.  England continued to make the bulkier full plate fusee watches until about 1900.

A wide variety movements were made from the ornately hand carved and pierced/filigree gilt brass movements to less decorated and utilitarian brass and nickel plated alloy movements. 

NO-HOOK OPTION: please leave note upon check-out - removes 1/2" of total length

FREE SHIPPING - US ONLY:  Applies to All US States and Select US Territories and ships via USPS 1st Class Mail and includes insurance and tracking. Upgraded and expedited shipping options available at check-out.  READY TIME - same day if ordered before 3 p.m. Pacific Time

CANADA / INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: Will be calculated and displayed in cart.

Hand crafted in Tucson, AZ, by John Galen Gudenkauf (owner/artist) with US and Global Materials.