Hello everyone,
Recently, I acquired a model of a sailing and steam boat dating from the end of the 19th century whose origin could be UK. . There are different theories, the first one I was told is related to a model based on a prototype designed for the transport of emigrants from the UK to the US in the second half of the 19th Century. However from details in the rigging and other elements it could be a sealer boat converted to artic exploration and could be dating from the beginning of the 20th Century. Any help on refining these theories would be appreciated.
During its inspection, I discovered that the inside of the hull contains a complex mechanism connected to several mechanical elements. This device includes a power-reserve spring, a flywheel, as well as numerous gears, pulleys and cables.
The mechanism is "out of date" and out of use. Neither I nor the previous owner ever saw it work. It is likely that the mechanism was decommissioned and the model transformed into a simple decorative object. It was purchased in 1960 from an auction house in Zurich and was already in the current situation. The son of the previous owner who sold it to me wasn't even aware of the mechanism inside the hull.
In my humble opinion, the mechanism could be reassembled thanks to one of the accessories on the bridge which is connected to the mechanism below by a cogwheel.
Then, once launched, the automaton had to carry out a series of movements, towards the elements present on deck: bilge pumps, anchors, winches as well as towards the rudder and propulsion. However, the most complex part was to allow the lifting and folding of the sails (which no longer exist). There are small holes along the railing and a sophisticated system of pulleys, guides, furlers with different diameters that had to set it all in motion. There are also inverters that allowed the sequence to take place.
Before embarking on the major restoration costs I would have liked to know your opinion about this piece, its interest and its market value for a collector / museum...
Thanks for your help.
Recently, I acquired a model of a sailing and steam boat dating from the end of the 19th century whose origin could be UK. . There are different theories, the first one I was told is related to a model based on a prototype designed for the transport of emigrants from the UK to the US in the second half of the 19th Century. However from details in the rigging and other elements it could be a sealer boat converted to artic exploration and could be dating from the beginning of the 20th Century. Any help on refining these theories would be appreciated.
During its inspection, I discovered that the inside of the hull contains a complex mechanism connected to several mechanical elements. This device includes a power-reserve spring, a flywheel, as well as numerous gears, pulleys and cables.
The mechanism is "out of date" and out of use. Neither I nor the previous owner ever saw it work. It is likely that the mechanism was decommissioned and the model transformed into a simple decorative object. It was purchased in 1960 from an auction house in Zurich and was already in the current situation. The son of the previous owner who sold it to me wasn't even aware of the mechanism inside the hull.
In my humble opinion, the mechanism could be reassembled thanks to one of the accessories on the bridge which is connected to the mechanism below by a cogwheel.
Then, once launched, the automaton had to carry out a series of movements, towards the elements present on deck: bilge pumps, anchors, winches as well as towards the rudder and propulsion. However, the most complex part was to allow the lifting and folding of the sails (which no longer exist). There are small holes along the railing and a sophisticated system of pulleys, guides, furlers with different diameters that had to set it all in motion. There are also inverters that allowed the sequence to take place.
Before embarking on the major restoration costs I would have liked to know your opinion about this piece, its interest and its market value for a collector / museum...
Thanks for your help.
