Marine chronometer by Charles Shepherd
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1845
This two-day marine chronometer was made between 1840 and 1850 (dated circa 1845) by Charles Shepherd in London. Preserved in the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers collection (museum number 766), the instrument is mounted in a gimballed wooden box with brass fittings and green baize lining.
The movement features a fusee with chain, spring detent escapement, compensated two-arm balance, and helical balance spring. The source reports a silvered brass dial with subsidiary seconds and an up-and-down indicator, signed ‘Charles Shepherd, Leadenhall St. London 390’ with steel hands.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Two-day marine chronometer
- Duration
- 2 day duration
- Dimensions
- 157 mm x 165 mm x 150 mm
- Museum Numbers
- L2015-3640 / Clockmakers' Museum No. 766
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker and Location
- Charles Shepherd, London
- Maker / attribution
- Shepherd, Charles
- Dial Signature and Serial
- Charles Shepherd, Leadenhall St. London 390
- Escapement and Movement Details
- Fusee movement with spring detent escapement, compensated two-arm balance and helical spring
Design
- Visible features
- • Prominent blued helical balance spring centered on a compensated balance with brass timing screws and weights. • Brass movement plates separated by cylindrical pillars, showing the fusee mechanism and wrapped chain. • Gimballed brass mounting ring and bowl fitted inside a mahogany box with green baize lining. • Winding key resting upright in a corner brass tube fitting within the box. • Blued screws visible across the top plate and balance cock.
- Object Identity and Documentation
- This marine chronometer is catalogued under object number L2015-3640 and Clockmakers' Museum No. 766 in The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers collection. The record attributes the instrument to maker Charles Shepherd in London, dated 1840-1850 (and noted elsewhere as c.1845). The overall physical dimensions are recorded as 157 mm by 165 mm by 150 mm. The institutional listing specifies materials including mahogany, brass, steel, glass, silvered brass, and diamond, with a stated duration of 2 days.
- Reported Dial and Mechanism Features
- According to the museum description, the chronometer features a 'Silvered dial with subsidiary seconds and an up-and-down indicator, signed ‘Charles Shepherd, Leadenhall St. London 390’' with 'Steel hands.' This dial face is turned downward in the movement photograph and is not directly visible. The movement is catalogued as a 'Fusee movement with spring detent escapement, compensated two-arm balance and helical spring.' While the compensated balance and helical spring are observable, the spring detent itself is not visibly exposed in the photograph.
- Visible Movement Construction and Mounting
- Visual observation of the inverted instrument displays brass movement plates separated by cylindrical pillars, exposing the fusee mechanism and wrapped chain. Blued screws are visible across the top plate and balance cock. A prominent blued helical balance spring is centered on a compensated balance fitted with brass timing screws and weights. The assembly sits in a gimballed brass mounting ring and bowl fitted within a wooden box lined with green baize, with a winding key resting upright in a corner brass tube fitting.
Identification
- Serial number
- 390
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The dial and steel hands are positioned downward or enclosed and are not visible in this photograph.
- Research required: The full exterior of the mahogany chronometer box is not depicted.