31384C.R
J. W. BENSON, LONDON.A MOST UNUSUAL VICTORIAN EBONISED LONGCASE REGULATOR WITH A MASSIVE AND EXCEPTIONAL MOVEMENT.CIRCA 1860.

A very fine ebonised longcase regulator. The case with a mirrored backboard is of a most unusual construction but aesthetically pleasing. It takes the form of a rectangular top mounted on a panelled and single plinthed base.

The main part of the case has an unusual small opening door to gain access to the dial with a fully opening door on the side of the case. The dial itself is surrounded by intricate carving and the backboard is mirrored. The case carries down into the panelled and plinthed base via a convex moulding and stands on four flat pad feet. The 12" silvered dial is signed J W Benson, 25 Old Bond Street with a silvered bezel/sight ring. The dial layout is typical English regulator layout with a large seconds dial below 60 and a similar large hour dial above 30 and the main dial being the minute ring. The nicely shaped hands are of blued steel.

The movement is quite exceptional and massive and owes some of its characteristics to the turret clock background of the maker. It has five large double screwed pillars and a fully end capped wheel train with six crossings for wheels. The caps at the top of the train are jewelled. It employs a Vulliamy type dead beat escapement with jewelled pallets, maintaining power and fine adjustment to the crutch piece. There are two knurled stops screwed either side of the crutch to stop over banking and damage to the escapement.

The mercury jar pendulum is of standard form but with a round rod rather than the more normal flat rod. It is spring suspended from a substantial mount across the top of both plates which is fully adjustable backwards and forwards via two huge knurled nuts. It beats against a silvered and engraved beat scale, which is mounted on raised and turned brass pillars.