Mystery (to me) object

[egaParticipant @ega]

Someone gave me this in the hope that I might identify it:

I think it’s from a clock and speculate that the notches may have to do with a striking mechanism. It’s about 3″ in diameter.

Can any one enlighten me?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

You are already enlightened !

Search for something likec ‘count-wheel strike’ to continue your journey.

MichaelG.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

See if you can work out why there are only 11 notches.

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

I think MichaelG has it, see here Link https://picclick.co.uk/Clockmakers-Spares-English-Longcase-Clock-Count-wheel-404155482983.html

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Weren’t these largely superseded by the rack-&-snail strike, I believe as inherently more reliable than the count-wheel?

[egaParticipant @ega]

Thank you all for your responses; I have passed on the link to the source of this object.

For the moment, and despite any enlightenment on my part, I remain one notch short of full set.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Unveiling the mystery …

https://youtu.be/ft-78gBWeBU?feature=shared

MichaelG.

.

 

[egaParticipant @ega]

Thanks MichaelG. Those early clockmakers were infinitely ingenious – wheels within wheels! The warning wheel feature prompted a faint memory of some writer referring to its “premonitory catch”.

[Author]

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