Internet Horology Club 185
DeLong escapement and upright pallets...............

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September 27, 2003, 21:06
Harold Visser
DeLong escapement and upright pallets...............
A few months ago there was quite a lenghty discussion on the DeLong escapements and the use of upright pallets, can anybody guess which watch used this pallet fork with upright pallets?
I'm getting better at taking extreme close-ups!
SmileHarold


September 28, 2003, 00:36
Steve Maddox
It looks like something E. Howard would do, but that's really just a guess.

The pallet staff appears to be staked-in like a conventional balance staff, and while the pallets are upright, the stones (in operational cross section) are still conventionally shaped, and the escapement appears to be a standard lever.

The only advantage I can see is that by relocating the operating plane to a position above the pallet surface, the counterpoise can be made from the same flat piece of metal as the rest of the fork, rather than being a separate piece attached to the top or bottom. With this design, it's apparent that the counterpoise "horns" will operate beneath the escape wheel, which would not be possible with a standard arrangement.

Neat stuff, Harold, and great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas
IHC Charter Member 49
September 28, 2003, 13:50
Harold Visser
Steve you are right, this pallet fork is from an early Howard #1428. Many of the first Howards up to about #1500? used the upright pallets.
Harold
September 28, 2003, 14:43
Dr. Clint Geller
Howard & Rice "Model 1857" movements, also finished by Howard, similarly had upright pallets.

Clint Geller