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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Watchmaker's lathe outfit

Lorch, Schmidt and Company 6mm Watchmaker's Lathe Outfit

Partially verified

This German steel and brass 6mm watchmaker's lathe outfit was produced by Lorch, Schmidt and Company of Frankfurt during the early to mid-20th century. The set features two lathe bed sections, including a headstock fitted with graduated pulleys driving a spindle with a 3-inch brass mandrel faceplate on an 11.5-inch D-section bed, alongside a second headstock setup on a 9.75-inch bed with a slider, tool rest, and tailstock. Accompanied by twenty-three 6mm split collets, a three-jaw chuck, a five-jaw radius chuck, and turning accessories, most components are stamped Lorch and housed in a fitted teak wooden box. The lot also includes external accessories such as a cross-slide and mounting pulleys.

Fitted teak box containing the Lorch 6mm lathe and collets, shown alongside the compound slide, bench pulley, and catalogues
Fitted teak box containing the Lorch 6mm lathe and collets, shown alongside the compound slide, bench pulley, and catalogues — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Tool · Watchmaker's lathe outfit
Maker / attribution
Lorch, Schmidt and Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
725
Source-reported date
early to mid 20th century
Country
Germany

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

Lathe Components and Configuration

This watchmaker's lathe outfit consists of two bed sections. The first is an 11.5-inch D-section bed featuring a U-shaped headstock frame with graduated pulleys and a spindle fitted with a 3-inch brass mandrel faceplate incorporating three steel dogs.

The second section features a 9.75-inch bed with a headstock incorporating index pin holes to the pulley rim, along with a tool rest and tailstock. The outfit includes a separate slider providing X/Y positioning and a bench-mount drive pulley assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “The first section with U-shaped headstock frame enclosing graduated pulleys driving the spindle currently fitted with a 3 inch brass mandrel faceplate incorporating three steel dogs, set on a 11.5 inch D-section bed”
  • “the second section with similar headstock but incorporating index pin holes to the pulley rim, set on a 9.75 inch bed opposing slider with tool rest and a tailstock”
  • “in addition to the cased set further accessories include a slider with fine screw X/Y positioning and 0-20 degree rotation lock-off, a remote pulley assembly complete with drilled flange for bench mounting, and a conforming bench post for the lathe assembly itself”

Accessories and Documentation

The lot contains twenty-three 6mm split collets, a 2.5-inch three-jaw chuck, and a five-jaw radius chuck. Further accessories for turning and polishing are included.

Accompanying documentation includes four original Lorch trade catalogues and an illustrated supply list from Prout & Orr Limited of Hull.

Evidence for this section
  • “with a series of accessories for turning and polishing as well as twenty-three 6mm split collets, a 2.5 inch three-jaw chuck and a similar five-jaw radius chuck”
  • “together with four original Lorch trade catalogues and an illustrated supply list for PROUT & ORR LIMITED, 35 DOCK STREET, HULL”

Identity and Presentation

The lathe components are primarily stamped 'Lorch' and are housed within a fitted teak box with a panelled lid. The box dimensions are 39cm wide, 25cm deep, and 15cm high.

The set is attributed to Lorch, Schmidt and Company of Frankfurt, dating to the early to mid-20th century. Based on the included catalogue D No. 19, the auctioneer suggests the set conforms to a 'Lathe Combination IXb'.

Evidence for this section
  • “most of the components stamped Lorch”
  • “contained as a set in a fitted teak box with panelled lid”
  • “The teak box 39cm (15ins) wide, 25cm (9.75ins) deep, 15cm (6ins) high.”
  • “LORCH, SCHMIDT AND COMPANY, FRANKFURT, EARLY TO MID 20th CENTURY”
  • “The present box set would appear to conform to Lathe Combination IXb 'righthand' illustrated in catalogue D No. 19”

Open research questions

  • Are the contents of the teak box a complete set as originally marketed in 'Combination IXb', or a curated collection of parts?
  • Do the markings on the components indicate a consistent production period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lorch, Schmidt and Company 6mm Watchmaker's Lathe Outfit
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and OriginLorch, Schmidt and Company, Frankfurt“LORCH, SCHMIDT AND COMPANY, FRANKFURT, EARLY TO MID 20th CENTURY”
Lathe Bed Configurations11.5 inch D-section bed and 9.75 inch bed“set on a 11.5 inch D-section bed and with tongue for the bench mounting post to underside, the second section with similar headstock but incorporating index pin holes to the pulley rim, set on a 9.75 inch bed”
Accessories Included23 split collets, three-jaw chuck, and five-jaw radius chuck“twenty-three 6mm split collets, a 2.5 inch three-jaw chuck and a similar five-jaw radius chuck”
Case Dimensions39cm wide, 25cm deep, 15cm high“The teak box 39cm (15ins) wide, 25cm (9.75ins) deep, 15cm (6ins) high.”
MakerLorch, Schmidt and Company“LORCH, SCHMIDT AND COMPANY, FRANKFURT, EARLY TO MID 20th CENTURY”
Lot ID725“LOT 725”

Visible details

  • Fitted wooden teak case with brass latches and a small brass 'Lorch' plaque on the rim.
  • Internal tiered wooden racks holding rows of collets, chucks, and turning attachments.
  • Separate compound cross-slide slider with twin adjustment screws.
  • Independent bench-mount drive pulley assembly and several vintage paper trade catalogues.

Research qualifications

  • Catalogue conformity to Combination IXb is based on auctioneer visual assessment of historical trade catalogues.
  • Completeness of original collet set relative to factory specification cannot be verified.

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

Consulted source

A GERMAN STEEL AND BRASS WATCHMAKER'S 6MM LATHE OUTFIT

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 936c28ce19

Terms in this record

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