Buy Antique Metronomes for Sale

Descriptions:

Please take the time to read an items description carefully before deciding on a purchase. We will try to list any mechanical faults as well as all cosmetic issues with each individual unit. If you are purchasing a metronome that will be used for an occasional practice aid we strongly suggest choosing a piece that operates as close as possible to 60 beats per minute. This generally means that the metronome will operate relatively accurately on all tempo settings down the scale. Inaccuracies on a units default beats per minute, shown below can be remedied by simply setting the pendulum weight to account for the +/- beat, i.e. if a metronome has a target tempo of 60bpm but operates at 64bpm, setting the pendulum weight to 56bpm ( slower tempo ) should result in 60 beats per minute.
It is quite common for units with a bell, to have operational issues on one of the four settings, if this is a problem it will be reflected in the metronomes description.
Metronomes sold on this website are NOT intended to be sold as accurate time keeping devices but as attractive collectible shelf or display items.
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For Items M101 - M108, click here.
For Items M117 - M124, click here.

Paquet Mahogany Victorian Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M109 )

This metronome has the serial number '287,470' this dates it roughly to between 1895 - 1900. Manufactured by the French firm of Paquet it is in very good condition. We have had to deal with a few lifting edges / seams which have been re-glued and also the base has had both front feet replaced due to damage, but the original slats and lower protective door are all still in place. Finished with nicely grained quality Mahogany panelling, the exterior is in decent condition, there are a couple of light dings and minor scratches but overall it has a nicely toned golden appearance, with the brass fittings taking on an antiqued aged patina having never been cleaned. The Paquet front door emblem still shows some of the original Gold burnish over the brass base and the card tempo scale is fully readable, although a little grubby from exposure to lamp and coal fire residue and general wear and tear over 120+ years.
This unit has a nice loud and audible action, the tempo is very good, even and well balanced. It still runs well at 60 beats per minute and for a total runtime of around 50 minutes. The mechanism, although seized completely on arrival, has cleaned up very well and proved to be reliable, this is in part due to the fact that the lower door is still in place. We hope the pictures are self explanatory, a nice original metronome ( with the exception of the feet ) from the largest metronome producer of the period, finished in quality Mahogany that retains the majority of the factory lacquered finish, a decent mechanism with a higher than average runtime and a consistent tempo. There is a little wear evident around the key storage hole to the front black panel but we really are nit picking considering this metronome's age.

Beats per Min: 60 Operating Time: 55 Minutes

Tempo Boxwood Faux Oak Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M110 )

I have owned a few of these over the years and I am still no closer to being able to positively identify the Country of origin. I think it was possibly American production aimed at both their own and the UK market. It has great retro appeal, produced in the 50's or 60's ( 66D hand written to base, which could indicate April 1966 ) and although I try to restrict metronomes advertised on this website to pre-1940 these have always proved to be extremely reliable and consistent performers providing an excellent tempo " forgive the pun " and a loud, if somewhat boxy audible tone to the beat.
This boxy tone is a result of the exterior woodwork choice which I think is a false oak, it is very lightweight and although quite pleasing and convincing on the eye, it is not until you pick the metronome up that you realise that is a boxwood alternative. This metronome is very reliable, useable as a practise aid although it does have one slight issue. On manufacture the firm chose to use a plastic tempo scale, over the years and having been pinned in place, these labels are prone to shrinkage, both ends of this particular units label had curled ( upper end has been re-glued and pinned, lower end still has a slight curl ) this means the original scale speed settings in relation to the pendulum setting have moved slightly resulting in an incorrect tempo. This is easily rectified by setting the pendulum weight to where the original corresponding mark would have been, i.e to achieve a 60 beats per minute, just set the pendulum to roughly 4 bmp slower than the required tempo ( 56bpm ).
It comes with quaint little Bakelite feet, gold washed fittings and a unit that in general is in excellent condition. It also has the bonus of being a relatively scarce manufacturer ( try to find another? ) the front emblem reading " Tempo, Dallas, England". The mechanism is numbered "395" which kind of backs up my theory that very limited numbers of metronomes by this manufacturer where ever produced.
A nice reliable and unusual metronome with great retro appeal .

Beats per Min: 60* Operating Time: 46 Minutes

Theodor Weisser Early Travel / Portable Metronome ( £139 - Order Number - M111 )

A very rare and fully operational metronome from the German designer Theodor Weisser. Patents where submitted in 1904 so we estimate that this unit dates to between 1904-1910. ( Patents can be viewed here > Patent1 - Patent2 ). The design came with two variants, with or without a bell, this particular metronome is without the bell function.
The metronome itself is designed to be very lightweight, constructed using the lightest wood ( possibly Ochroma Pyramidale or Balsa wood ) for the box base and a leaf style steel pendulum arm. The mechanism is also very lightweight, finely designed and manufactured to a very high standard, due to the relatively small size of the base unit, the mechanism is precision made to keep the metronome as portable as possible. The external fittings are gilded brass, all original to the metronome and without damage, the pendulum arm is fully legible, a few lightweight sliding marks and minor tarnish but overall is very good indeed. The audible tempo is quiet by design, it keeps good time at 60 beats per minute for an overall runtime of around 35-40 minutes but is more of a visual timing device than your typical pyramid metronome.
Considering the very light construction throughout, this metronome is a stand out and very rare almost museum quality example of a metronome that was in production for a very short time only. The majority of examples that do become available today are either non-working, damaged or incomplete. Not only is this example fully working ( after a service ), it comes in the original inner card box and outer transportable pencil style wooden box. It also retains the majority of the stained finish to the base unit, with the whole metronome in fantastic condition considering it is over 100 years old.
Along with the metronome, in the storage box are two flat steel plates with holes, we have no idea what these are for or if indeed that they are in fact anything to do with the metronome but will be included regardless. We also need to mention that once wound and operation begins, there is no easy way to cease operation as the unit has no home position or retainer for the pendulum arm, this means it needs to either run down fully or be stored partially wound.
As a highly collectible and rare one off shelf display metronome, this example ticks every category, what you do not get is the use of the highest quality materials usually evident on the pyramid style metronomes from the same era, however this metronome was designed to be portable and in order to do that compromise was required. Should not be considered as a practise metronome due to the quiet nature of the action but as a collectible and rare antique, this one is exceptional, try to find another!. Please see the dimensions below as it may prove to be smaller than expected.
Overall height including the pendulum arm: 7.5"
Base height and width: 3 x 2"
Storage Box Dimensions: 9 x 3 x 3"

Beats per Min: 60 Operating Time: 40 Minutes

Robert Cocks or Cramer & Co Rosewood Veneered Victorian Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M112 )

A lovely Victorian London made metronome in very good condition and dating to around 1880. The mechanism in this one is one of the cleanest and brightest we have encountered on a Victorian metronome, with most covered with a film of coal or lamp oil residue. This one appears to have somehow escaped that predicament and was possibly displayed in a well ventilated area, it is even more remarkable considering the lower underside protective door is missing on this example. Finished with a high quality Rosewood Veneer, a boxwood tempo scale and flanked by solid Rosewood tempo scale side panels, it is typical of a mid production metronome by either of the London based firms. There is a minor veneer section missing from the left hand upper panel and the odd slight dent to the edge woodwork but these are extremely small and hardly worth a mention when you consider the 140 years of service.
The woodwork retains a semi gloss finish and is matched with wonderful chocolate brown solid brass fittings that all show a consistent handling patina, the tempo scale is the early wide type, with hand stamped individual markings and in near factory condition. This metronome also features a 3/4 sized door hinge and hand chaste upper brass pendulum weight. The tempo and audible return is excellent, loud and with a good solid tone, it operates at 60 beats per minute for a total runtime of around 45 minutes and is a solid performer. Originally, this metronome would have sat on three bun brass feet, two to the front ( which are still both original ) and one to the rear, which was fixed to the underside door. Since this door and foot have been lost of broken, two replacement feet have been fitted to the rear, but unless we had mentioned it here, you would never have guessed as they are a perfect match.
Inside the mechanism compartment and as with many of the these London metronomes, there is a pencilled hand written number which appears to be the year and month of manufacture. In this case 9/80 or 9/88 = September 1880/8. A truly superb example of an early Victorian metronome, finished to the highest standard which results in not only a fabulous display item but also coupled with a reliable performance. These are getting very hard to obtain and I am sure that this unit will not be around too long. The missing underside door panel in no way affects the metronome's performance, in some cases it can alter the audible tone of the tempo but on this particular unit, the difference is negligible due to the fact it still sounds so good without it.

Beats per Min: 60 Operating Time: 40 Minutes

Jean Wagner Early Victorian Mahogany Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M113 )

Prepare for a history lesson!. This metronome is French and was manufactured by the J Wagner company based in Paris. Jean Wagner was a watchmaker and tower clock installer / manufacturer, following in his uncles footsteps Bernard Henri-Wagner. He was born in 1800 and died in 1875 with the company continuing operation under the ownership of a long tern friend and student Amadee-Phillippe Borell ( 1818-1887 ). Luckily for us, this chap was skilled and the history regarding him and the company is quite extensive from the horology side of the business. It enabled me to thoroughly research the firm, with this being only the third metronome that we have ever encountered from the early Victorian manufacturer. The business was located at various locations in and around Paris and under varying names, most of which are dateable. In 1833, J Wagner wrote a book entitled Metronom de Maelzel fabrique par J Wagner or Maelzel Metronome manufactured by J Wagner, bear in mind that this was only 17 years after Maelzel himself had manufactured or patented the very first metronome. Wagner was an extremely early manufacturer of the pyramid form of metronome, the mechanism installed in this example is nearly identical to ones that can be found on original and highly priced and prized metronomes from the man himself - Maelzel.
So to recap, the manufacturer of this metronome had been producing metronomes from at least 1833 ( first patent from Maelzel in 1815 ), by this time, Wagner was aged 33. In 1852, he moved premises from Rue Montmarte to Rue Neuve des Petits Champs 47 where the business continued to flourish until his death in 1875. After his death, the J Wagner name continued to be used until 1887 but with the addition of his student's name Amadee Borell who took over the running of the firm.
Very kindly, the company employed a habit of attaching a label to the underside of the mechanism compartment door as well as stamping the tempo scale to the lower third with the current firms location and name at the time of manufacture, this information is key in dating, with this particular unit reading:
METRONOME DE MAELZEL, Par J Wagner Neveu, Mecanicien Horloger, Rue Neuve des Petits Champs 47, Serial number - 35,950. If you are still with me, this means that this unit is accurately dateable to between 1852 ( the time they took up residence at Petit Champs ) and 1875 ( the time of Wagners death ) as it does not bear any mention of Borell, Wagners successor.
Phew......
Basically, this metronome has a terrific pedigree, and a hugely impressive history regarding the manufacturer, it is finished in quality mahogany panelling which although does show a few surface ding marks, it remains in very good condition. We did have to do some work regarding split seams and joints but overall and considering it is over 150 years old, remarkable. The yellow tempo scale is unique, possibly boxwood stained and with hand punched numbering. The feet unfortunately lost to time have been replaced, as has the front door emblem, which in all likelihood would have been unique, but all other fixtures and fitting are original. While this metronome looks like any other mid period Paquet unit, it most certainly is not, it pre-dates the majority of both of the London firms production metronomes, Cocks and Cramer. The mechanism is historically important and bears a makers stamp of L J F who we have been unable to identify. Construction wise it is nearly identical to Maelzels own mechanism. It runs for a staggering 50+ minutes at 60 beats per minute, quite amazing!. It has a fabulous tempo, even and well balanced. I literally could have written 20 page's on this piece. As you can probably tell, we are quite enthusiastic about this particular metronome and thought long and hard before actually listing it for sale.
This metronome is perfect for anybody in the market for a very scarce and important unit, mechanically the tempo is good and regular, but really, forget the operation, this metronome is museum quality and a very rare piece in it's own right.
Edit* Please note the description for this unit has been updated after undertaking additional work to correct an imbalance problem, this has now been resolved. 23/11/2018

Beats per Min: 60 Operating Time: 45 Minutes

Thorens Mahogany Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M114 )

Coppered fittings on this treated Mahogany metronome from Thorens. It is not numbered although the Swiss firm did normally serialise their production metronomes, it makes this one a little hard to date but it is certainly pre-1930. The scale is marked with the anchor logo for the firm and their metronomes, although on first appearances look identical to Paquet metronomes, they are slightly larger in dimensions and in a lot cases feature better quality materials. This metronome does have a few flaws that need mentioning, firstly there is what looks like an oil mark or finishing flaw to the front lower right, this appears to be under the top gloss lacquer so in all likelihood was something that developed after release from the factory. It is not too distracting and could be mistaken for graining but needs to be mentioned, secondly the mechanism runs slow ( mainspring wear ), this can be remedied by simply setting the upper pendulum weight one notch below the required tempo. It also has a tendency to ever so slightly favour the left swing of the pendulum, this is down to wear on the escapement. With that being said and making the unit sound a lot worse than it actually performs, the tempo it maintains is good, supplying a very decent total runtime of 50 minutes. It is in totally original condition, retaining all of the factory parts and feet, winding key and and lower door still in place.
There are a couple of minor dings to the exterior woodwork, nothing too bad and the metronome looks a lot better in hand than what appears in the images for some reason, possibly due to reflection of the intact lacquered finish.
A nice honest piece, roughly 100 years old, Swiss manufactured and all original, it has been priced to reflect the slight issues with the mechanism although it performs admirably once you get used to it's idiosyncrasies.

Beats per Min: 56 Operating Time: 50 Minutes

Jerome Thibouville Lamy ( JTL ) Cherry Metronome ( SOLD - Order Number - M115 ) REWORKED

This early French metronome from JTL features in our rework gallery for the process we use in reworking damaged but salvageable units with good base woodwork panels. ( The Process ). Dating to around 1919 it has a lovely mixture of quarter sawn and standard Cherry wood panels that show fabulous wood graining and is very pleasing on the eye. We have not applied any wood dyes or finishes other than a clear oil/varnish protective topcoat to really show off the natural beauty of the wood and also to give the metronome a very tactile and hard wearing final product.
The unit itself mechanically is a very good performer albeit running a little slow, we think this is probably because it has had a replacement upper pendulum weight at some point in it's life but is easily rectified by simply setting the weight slightly below the required tempo scale marking. The audibly tone is well balanced and even and runs for approximately 45 minutes from a full wind. The mechanism can be a little temperamental to get started with a regular tempo, if wound completely to the maximum, it is not an issue at all, as within five minutes of running it recovers well, but needs to mentioned and again is easily rectified by not winding right up until the stop and settling for a 5 minute reduced total runtime.
Not only is this piece a fabulous looking metronome and a decent performer, it also has one of the best performing bell mechanisms we have come across in an antique metronome. It operates correctly on all four settings and on all pendulum weight settings, even the slowest, which is virtually unique in terms of any metronome over 75+ years of age. This in part, is due to the fact that the whole mechanism, to include the bell was completely seized and inoperable for a number of years until it received a complete overhaul and with minimal wear and use to the spring, it was raring to go when re-enabled. It is loud and crisp, with a good reverb and easily one of the best sounding bells we have encountered.
For the full process and procedure of reworking this particular metronome, please do read the link post above, as it has had a lot of work, too much to re-write again here. This metronome is now a solid performer, it has had a new lease of life and comes from a firm that is synonymous with supplying quality materials and exterior parts. There is a slight bruise mark or knot to one edge of the woodwork on the upper third and the card tempo scale shows a little wear and tear but otherwise we are fairly sure that this unit will not disappoint.

Beats per Min: 57 Operating Time: 45 Minutes

Paquet Shell Form or Coquille Rosewood Scarce Metronome ( HOLD - Order Number - M116 )

Possibly a special order item or at least manufactured only for a very short period, this Shell Form or ( Forme Coquille ) metronome from the French firm of Paquet is numbered '736' along with the factory overall serial number of '483,816'. This means that by the time the firm had produced five hundred thousand metronomes in total, mainly using the typical pyramid form, roughly only 1000 of these very attractive and unique style of rounded cased metronomes had been manufactured. In excellent condition and using thin cut high quality Rosewood panels it is very pleasing on the eye, complete with a unique front door emblem of the transfer type, that as far as we aware, was only used on this shell style metronome. The exterior case retains a semi high gloss factory finish, there are no dents and only minor surface scratches, the base has split in half at some point in this units history, we have undertaken a braced repair which works well but care needs to taken by not over-tightening the 3 base retaining screws. These screws are located beneath the three foam fitted feet to the base and removing these feet and screws is the only way to access the mechanism. As access may be needed for whatever reason by the new owner we are including another 3 foam feet as replacements, should they be needed in the future. The seams from this split however can be seen on close inspection on either side of the base when viewed from above, now very slight and nothing too distracting but needs to be mentioned. Care should be taken if you decide to remove the base for any reason to access the mechanism.
In order to achieve the curve, thin panels are a necessity, and probably would have been soaked over a long period to retain the form, while this results in an end product that is very appealing, these thin panels do affect the audible tempo of the mechanism, as the pulse is returned ( as with all metronomes ) through the wooden exterior case. The result is a rather lighter tone or higher pitched tempi that is usually encountered from a normal pyramid style metronome.
The mechanism is of the standard Paquet construction, it runs for a total of 45 minutes at 60 beats per minute however there is wear to the escapement on this particular unit. It has a slightly louder tick than tock ( right pendulum swing louder that the left swing ) and although well balanced, would probably not be the best unit to be considered for a practise metronome. The typical card tempo scale does show some dirt and wear and a split to the top third but is intact, secure and fully legible. It is marked by the firm ' Forme Coquille' to both ends of the scale. The winding key is an original replacement. Other than clean the exterior and the mechanism, we have not attempted to clean any of the fixtures or fittings on this particular unit, the overall look of the metronome benefits from the aged appearance in our opinion. It dates to around 1900, possibly 10 years either side depending on the accuracy of our dating chart.
As a unique display metronome and for anybody seeking a unit that stands out from the crowd, this one certainly fits the bill, it has rarity, quality materials and construction and a fabulous talking point for any collection or stand alone antiquity. This one came to us from France.

Beats per Min: 60 Operating Time: 45 Minutes

Brass Polishing:

We also offer a brass polishing service, where we remove all exterior brass fittings and polish to a high sheen which seems to be popular when matching a metronome to a piano for display purposes. We do not clean the fittings by default unless we feel the unit warrants it and any item shown on the website without cleaned brass-work is sold as viewed. We will however, under instruction polish fittings once a unit has been purchased for a standard charge of £9.95. Occasionally metronomes can be fitted with nickel silver or copper metal-work and in most cases these are best left to develop a deep handling patina. We will advise if we do not think that a unit would benefit from this service.

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