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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Dial clock

A Late Victorian Manchester Ebonised Fusée Dial Clock

Partially verified

This late Victorian English dial clock features an ebonised wooden case measuring 37 cm in overall diameter. Its 12-inch painted dial is inscribed 'W. McFERRAN, VICTORIA ST MANCHESTER' and displays black Roman hour numerals along with an outer minute track and spade-pattern hands. According to the auction catalogue, the timepiece movement is equipped with an anchor escapement and chain fusée. The case includes a swing-out side door and a military-style recessed lock on the bottom door, and the clock is accompanied by its pendulum.

Front view of the ebonised dial clock signed W. McFerran, Manchester
Front view of the ebonised dial clock signed W. McFerran, Manchester — Bellmans. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
app.bellmans.co.uk
Category
Clock · Dial clock
Maker / attribution
W. McFerran
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1214
Source-reported date
Late Victorian
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The timepiece is housed in an ebonised wooden case with a 37 cm diameter. It features a swing-out side door and a bottom door equipped with a military-style recessed lock.

Reported condition issues regarding the case include scratches and knocks, veneer loss around the bottom door, a broken hinge on that door, and the use of associated (non-original) pegs.

Evidence for this section
  • “37cm diam.”
  • “swing-out side door and military-style recessed lock to bottom door”
  • “Some veneer loss around bottom door, with a broken hinge.”
  • “The pegs are associated.”
  • “Case with scratches and knocks commensurate with age.”

Dial and Visual Features

The 12-inch painted dial is signed 'W. McFerran, Victoria Street, Manchester'. It features black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.

Condition reports note that the glass is cracked, there is paint scratching on the chapters, and the dial foot at the 3 o'clock position has moved and is visible.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 12in painted dial signed W. McFerran, Victoria Street, Manchester”
  • “The glass is cracked.”
  • “Some paint scratching to the chapters.”
  • “The dial foot at III o’clock has moved and is now visible.”

Movement and Mechanism

The timepiece movement is equipped with an anchor escapement and a chain fusée. The movement is accompanied by its pendulum.

The internal movement is not visible in the provided imagery. The source describes the movement as dirty and states it will require a clean and service.

Evidence for this section
  • “the timepiece movement with anchor escapement and chain fusée”
  • “With its pendulum.”
  • “The movement is dirty and will require a clean and service.”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival or horological evidence confirms the operational history of W. McFerran on Victoria Street, Manchester?
  • Does the 'associated' status of the pegs imply specific structural restoration history?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A Late Victorian Manchester Ebonised Fusée Dial Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial signatureW. McFerran, Victoria Street, Manchester“The 12in painted dial signed W. McFerran, Victoria Street, Manchester”
Movement typeTimepiece movement with anchor escapement and chain fusée“the timepiece movement with anchor escapement and chain fusée”
Case diameter37 cm“37cm diam.”
Case construction detailsSwing-out side door and military-style recessed lock to bottom door“swing-out side door and military-style recessed lock to bottom door”
Dated PeriodLate Victorian“A LATE VICTORIAN MANCHESTER EBONISED FUSÉE DIAL CLOCK”
Literature ReferenceIan P. Lyman, Railway Clocks, Ashbourne 2004, p. 125, Fig 4.59 and p. 169, Fig 5.86“See Ian P. Lyman, Railway Clocks , Ashbourne 2004, p. 125, Fig 4.59 and p. 169, Fig 5.86, for similar clocks by McFerran.”

Visible details

  • Circular ebonised case surround with paint wear and surface chips
  • Off-white painted dial with black Roman numerals and minute chapter ring
  • Dial signed 'W. McFERRAN, VICTORIA ST MANCHESTER.'
  • Spade-headed hour hand and straight minute hand pointing towards roughly twenty past ten / twenty to five line
  • Visible winding square aperture located below the central hand arbor
  • Slight raised dial foot visible near the 3 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, swing-out side door, bottom door, and pendulum are not visible in the photograph
  • Source reports condition issues including cracked glass, visible dial foot at III o'clock, dirty movement, associated pegs, and a broken hinge with veneer loss on the bottom door

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record f5529b7f74

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Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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