Antique longcase grandfather clock movement

Here I have an 8-day longcase clock movement from the first few years of the 18th century. The maker is Sam Aldworth of London, who was born c1659 and worked till after 1720. He was apprenticed to none other than John Knibb (of Oxford, and the brother of the more famous Joseph) and married Elizabeth Knibb who is thought to have been John's daughter, so has an interesting history. The dial size is 12 square and the movement has five original pillars.

The escape wheel and pallet arbor look to me to be original and it has a novel warning lever arrangement. The clock is pretty clean but will definitely need an overhaul.

It comes with a bell, which is, IMO, original and with a probably original bell nut. The strike control is by rack.

The aperture where one might expect to see a date ring is blocked up, but there is no sign of there ever having been a date ring, and the dial is clearly right for this movement (every post lines up properly as do the winding holes and the seconds arbor, and there are no signs of alteration). My belief is that this could possibly have been made for the usual date function and then someone changed their mind.... Whether the customer or the maker; probably the former.

The expert engraving around this block is also fully over and across it: please see picture. This possibly confirms it as a very old change if not done befor it left the workshop.

Aldworth's signature is lightly engraved as "Sam Aldworth Strand, London" on the lower edge of the chapter ring. For the avoidance of doubt, what you don't get with this clock is: a pendulum or weights. What you do get is: a five-pillar movement from a decent maker, two weight pulleys, a bell, a modern seatboard with two good movement retaining bolts, a few interesting hours overhauling it.

I can also consider collection from here. Any queries, please contact me and I'll do my best to answer comprehensively. If you've bought from me before you will know the quality of products I offer.

---