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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Mechanism

Barrel cover (barrel lid)

The removable lid closing a going barrel, retaining the mainspring and its arbor.

Explanation

The barrel cover closes the going barrel over the mainspring and carries the barrel's upper pivot hole. It must sit flat and fully snapped home; a sprung cover lets the barrel arbor tilt and bind the train. On dismantling, the cover is where a slipping mainspring announces itself — care and a let-down tool are the rule.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Barrel cover (barrel lid)”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.