Metronome Gallery:
M109 - M116
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.
Hold your mouse pointer over a gallery image for an
enhanced zoom, or click 'play' to listen to your selected
metronome.
For Items M101 - M108, click here.
For Items M117 - M124, click here.
Paquet Coquille ( Shell Form ) Rosewood Metronome (
SOLD - Order Number - M109 )
Dating to
around 1910 this lovely looking metronome is in a relatively
scarce form called 'Coqulle' or 'Shellform'. It was manufactured
by the French company, Paquet and they were kind enough to mark it
with two serial numbers, this means that we are not only able to
roughly date it to a production year ( serial 483,819
) , but we can also provide the model type serial number giving a
suggestion as to how many of this actual shell form of metronome
had been produced. The hand written number is ( serial 736
). It is in excellent condition, with only superficial scratches
commensurate with age and still retains all of the original gloss
clear lacquered topcoat. The Rosewood paneled case has been soaked
and rounded to provide the shell form and takes a very clever
process to maintain this shape without splitting the wood panels.
This example shows no stress marks or splits whatsoever. It is
extremely attractive externally, with fabulous Rosewood dark
graining visible and a good original Paquet transfer type
trademark symbol to the front that remains in excellent condition.
Inside the door, the tempo scale is the typical Paquet type that has
darkened over time, this is mainly caused by exposure to coal
fire, lamp oil and to a degree some handling wear, it does have a
few modern scratches visible which does detract slightly, but
really we are nit picking, it is still legible and differs from
the standard tempo scale in that it reads " Forme Coquille
Modele Depose " or " Shell Shape Model
" and " Forme Coquille " to the lower third as
well. The thick Rosewood base has suffered over the yeas having
split on two occasions, we have reinforced internally one of the
splits in order to resolve a visible crack externally, the other
split appears stable and has been glued ( not by us ). The
base is retained by 3 large screws, these have been covered with
foam feet by us, which is the reason for no mechanism picture
below, it does however have a typical Paquet mechanism that you
can view on any other Paquet metronome on this website. These foam
feet ensure that the screws, that do protrude slightly will not
scratch a display surface and also provides a nice even base for
the metronome. In order to access the mechanism compartment
however, these foam feet do need to be removed and we will provide
and additional 5 feet as replacement's or spares.
The winding key is a replacement and there is a small tiny veneer
split around the winding key hole that has been reglued, this is
very minor and hardly worth a mention. The mechanism is good, it
can show some variation with the strength of the pendulum swing as
the mainspring winds down but is generally good, well balanced and
audible and providing 60 beats per minute for a total runtime of
around 45 minutes. It is not the strongest mainspring however and
does struggle on the last 15 minutes of runtime or on a very slow
pendulum upper weight setting. Ideal as a collectable metronome or
display and talking piece but should not be considered as a
regular practice aid.
The rare style and shape of this metronome is reflected in our asking
price, the performance is rather secondary in our opinion. It is
hard enough to find this model anywhere is today's market, let
alone a working example and one in such good condition. The low
serial number of 736 hints at a production number of probably only
around 1000 metronomes maximum from Paquet with the unit being the
first of the type that we have ever offered for sale.
Beats per Min: 60
Operating Time: 45 Minutes
Paquet Mahogany Metronome - A.L. & Cie (
SOLD - Order Number - M110 )
A very
good performer here with a strong mainspring and a consistent and
even tempo. It came to us with a mechanism that had a terminal
main spring fault and could not be repaired so it has been
replaced with a donor mechanism from another unit dating to the
same period. The serial number '352,095' dates it to around c 1900
and was manufactured by the French firm of Paquet, it was however
retailed by an unknown company to us, A.L.& Cie which is stamped
to the lower third of the tempo scale along with a picture of a
tuning fork. Finished in high quality Mahogany, the exterior is in
excellent clean condition, it has a few minor dings commensurate
with age but no deep scratches, or dents or any damage or
splitting. It has a lovely deep patina, a deep rich tone with good
visible grain and is finished with the nickel silver variant
of the Paquet front door emblem.
Originally the metronome was fitted with a mechanism that had a bell
assembly, the replacement however does not, this means that the
side panel upper hole / fitting is now defunct but can be used as
a key storage hole. The metronome retains all of the original
exterior parts and fittings, and has the original lower door and
all feet in place, the feet have had a repaint and felt added to
the underside, so that the unit is safe to seat on a piano or
delicate surface. The tempo scale is fully legible and clean with
no flaking or damage to the black side panels and with another ky
storage hole to the lower right. Performance wise, this metronome
is excellent, it has a very strong main spring which is reflected
in the swing of the pendulum arm, and it provides a loud audible
and even tempo, good enough to be used in semi-professional
practice environment. It is running a little fast due to the upper
and lower weight differing from the original mechanism, this is
roughly only four bpm so it is very easy to simply set the upper
pendulum weight one notch or setting above the actual required
tempo, on the tempo scale in order to achieve the correct return.
This is a very nice looking metronome with the bonus of also giving very
good performance mechanically. At over 100 years old, we hope that
it continues to provide good reliable service to the new owner for
the foreseeable future, albeit after a little heart surgery.
Beats per Min:
64*
Operating Time: 45+ Minutes
Theodor Weisser Early Travel / Portable Metronome (
SOLD
- 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
Paquet Mahogany Metronome (
SOLD - Order Number - M113 )
This unit
from the French firm of Paquet dates to around 1920 bearing the
serial number 668,889. It is in original factory condition
retaining all of the original parts, fixtures and fittings. The
exterior woodwork, probably Mahogany but also possibly Cherry wood has nearly all of the factory high gloss
lacquered finish or topcoat and although it does display some
obvious handling wear, scratches and slight dents etc visible on
close inspection, it is still in very good condition. The
base or underside has suffered and has been repaired over the
years, with one slat split and re-glued. It does however still
have it's original feet and underside protective door still in
place and doing a great job of protecting a clean and reliable
mechanism.
The front door Paquet emblem still has much of the factory gold burnish
still visible and the winding key and door hook have a lovely dark
handling patina. There is a visible light scratch to the lower
front exterior panel and a few other very light marks to other
panels but nothing too distracting, one seam to the right lower
may have been re-glued in the past but has been done well and to
the point of you hardly being able to notice it unless we had
mentioned it here.
The card tempo scale is fully legible with only a couple of very minor red
ink marks to the lower third, this ink also slightly stains the
exterior woodwork peak but again so minor that you can hardly
notice it. The original factory upper pendulum weight slides well
and set at 60 beats per minute, provides an accurate tempo and
well balanced movement. The metronome mechanism is very clean
having had 3 ultrasonic baths and runs for a total runtime of 45
minutes at 60bpm.
A nice honest early 20th Century French manufactured metronome in decent
condition considering the 100 year old age, a few minor exterior
blemishes and some visible handling wear but this is reflected in
our asking price. Operationally and mechanically, this metronome
is sound ( no pun intended ) it runs well, provides a loud an
audible and even tempo, is not too over-powering and retains all
factory parts.
Beats per Min:
60
Operating Time: 45
Minutes
Thorens Swiss Pear Wood Victorian? Metronome (
SOLD - Order Number - M114 )
We think
that this metronome from the Swiss firm of Thorens may well be
Victorian or if not maybe a decade into the 20th Century. The base
is stamped with the early serial number of ' 70,306 ' and while we
know that this particular firm did not manufacture anywhere near
as many metronome's as the French firm of Paquet ( nearly 2m ) we
do believe they reached at least 250,000. This metronome is in
excellent condition externally, with only two old door retaining
pin holes to the front panel and an old seam split to the left
panel being the only flaws. The left panel split has been re-glued
internally and is completely stable and the door pin holes are a
common issue affecting nearly all antique metronome's that were
manufactured without a full door hinge. Other issues that need
mentioning is that the escutcheon disc surrounding the bell pull
lever has slight damage but it still sits in place well and hardly
noticeable and also that the underside protective door is lost to
time.
That is the negatives out of the way, now let me talk about what a great
looking metronome that this is in hand. Slightly more Golden than
what is shown in our pictures and with virtually no scratches or
dents / dings of any sort, it is a very clean and smart looking
piece.
The mechanism, understandably dirty and grimy after going for years with
no door in place, cleaned up very well and performs very well. It
has a strong even tempo even on the slowest settings and
comfortably runs the bell with hardly any slow down of the
pendulum visible at all ( a rarity ), the bell itself operate
correctly on all four settings and has a nice tone and completely
audible. The pendulum swing is good, and the visible card tempo
scale is fully legible with no old cleaning attempts evident. It
does run a little fast, which may indicate that the upper pendulum
weight has been lost / replaced at some point in the past but this
is easily corrected by setting the weight 4bp slower than what is
required. i.e for 60 bpm set the upper weight to56bpm ( one notch
above your required tempo ).
One foot has been lost and replaced on the rear of the underside
but this does not impact the performance. The card tempo scale is
clear and readable and with the firms trademark of an anchor,
clearly visible to the lower third. While the fixtures and
fittings have suffered the brunt of some poor handling or storage
over the years, the external case and overall look of this
metronome has survived very well. It performs well, has a fully
working bell, a Swiss pedigree and manufactured around the turn of
the Century. The woodwork itself looks to be Pear wood although it
could be another Fruitwood, sometimes it is a little hard to tell
as the wood changes it's appearance over time and with handling
etc. Thorens produced some fine looking metronome's early in
production, this one is a prime example.
Beats per Min:
64*
Operating Time:
45 Minutes
Paquet Rosewood Metronome (
SOLD - Order Number - M115 )
A lovely
looking and totally original metronome from the French firm of
Paquet dating to around 1925. This piece is in fine condition and
has obviously been well looked after for the past 90+ years.
Finished with Rosewood paneling which gives a fire or wave style
appearance to the grain, the exterior is excellent, no dents or
scratches and still retaining all of the original factory upper
clear lacquered finish. The door emblem still shows much of the
factory fire gilding and this unit has the more expensive option
of a fully hinged door.
Everything about this metronome screams quality, the solid brass exterior
fittings have a fabulous dark handling patina and are all original
to the metronome, along with the feet and the lower protective
door which remains in place and numbered '768,160'. The card tempo
scale is fully legible, in good condition with no cleaning
attempts visible and marked to the bottom with the typical Paquet
trademark. Operationally this metronome is equally as impressive,
supplying a steady and well balanced 60 beats per minute, with an
even swing to the pendulum and a good tempo. It is quite audible
with a good solid tone and a total runtime of around 45+ minutes.
While we do not recommend any antique metronome for professional
practice use, this one however could quite easily be used in a
semi professional environment without an issue. One small remark
is that this particular metronome operates more consistently if it
is not wound to the absolute maximum, stopping a turn or half turn
of the winding key before the upper stop means that the spring is
not over compressed. It will not cause a problem if you forget, it
just appears to run down more smoothly if this trick is observed . A nice small
description for this metronome which is exactly how we like them,
virtually no issues to list or highlight and one where we can let
the pictures do the talking, with no hidden issues. A great
example.
Beats per Min:
60
Operating Time: 45 Minutes
Depos'e Rosewood Victorian Metronome (
£119 - Order Number - M116 )
This
metronome has somewhat been through the wars over the years but
remains a very attractive piece with fabulous tiger stripe
Rosewood graining and dating to the late Victorian era, probably
around 1885. It was manufactured by an unusual manufacturer who
only appears to have been around for a shot period and maybe only
up until the turn of the Century. They marked their metronomes 'Depos'e'
which as we understand it, is usually related to stating that the
design had been patented, however as we are not sure who the
actual maker was or because they only ever appeared to have marked
their metronomes with 'Depos'e', this is how we gotten accustomed
to describing the maker. The firm also used a visual trademark to
the lower third of the tempo scale, in this case a musical scale
with notes, but we also believe they used a harp and a tuning
fork during their production period. This particular metronome is
numbered ' 14,625, a low number when you consider that the
rival firm of Paquet had manufactured over 200,000 by the time
this one was assembled.
It would appear that the frame itself has split or been reassembled at
some point during it's history, the front lower panel has been
reattached and pinned ( poorly and slightly off center ) and there
are signs of seam splitting with some minor damage and old
internal regluing is evident. There are also a couple of minor age
related cracks to the wood, but nothing major or that detracts and
in fact is relatively typical of the wood type Rosewood. The
fittings are old, hand finished and filed and with a lovely dark
age / handling patina, the feet have been repainted, and the
underside protective door is unfortunately lost to time. The
mechanism is good, a nice strong and even swing to the pendulum
and relatively loud / audible. It run's for around 45 minutes and
provides an accurate 60 beats per minute. We have had to undertake
work mechanically to this piece to restore functionality but it is
a nice performer and considering it is over 130 years, really
quite impressive. The card tempo scale has suffered, it is a
little grubby and worn, but providing you have decent eyesight,
still possible to see the settings ok, it has been exposed to coal
fires and lamp oil etc, pre-electricity, so we think this
can be forgiven. A nice piece, with history and from an unusual
and scarce maker, in good working condition.
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.
