Unusual antique regulator clock, pulleys on TOP, letter w/ history - type?

Has anyone seen a clock like this before? Letter on the front suggests history dates to early/mid 1800's and was acquired by Webster in 1895. Any information would be helpful. Thanks! ... Dave

Pics of clock, close up of letter, and top showing pulleys:

 

It is a run of the mill American ogee clock from New England, I'd say about 1860 but the maker's label that should show on the inside back would pin it down more exactly.

Metal dial and general appearance rules out very early, and that letter which I can't read is sitting where there should be a reverse painted scene or design on the lower part of the door. I am pretty sure it is a 30 hour clock but I can't really tell without the size, and should have two tapered rectangular shaped weights with it. Intrinsically it is not uncommon, or very valuable but I don't know if the letter makes any difference as I can't make it out.

These are commonly called 'herring boxes' over here.

 

Thank you for that information. I've cropped the letter into two portions, and included here. Let me know if it is readable now. Dave

 

I removed the face, hoping to find a paper label. No paper, but a mark on the front of the movement. Here is a picture of the movement, plus of the mark "B M & Co".

 

The trouble with that account is that a clock like this would have cost no more than $5 in 1840. Much better clocks existed, which may have cost the rather large sum of $50 but there is no way that this one was ever priced at $50.

Clocks like this were noted for their longevity, because the construction allowed for a lot of wear before the thing became too worn to run, but they were not noted for accuracy

The movement is of the earlier riveted strip frame type used in 1840. If the dial is actually wood it could be 1840. The paper label would have been below the movement, and on the back of the case inside. The initials are for Birge Mallory & Co. of Bristol, Conn. Missing label and replaced glass would hurt the value somewhat.

If the weights weigh about 8 pounds each it would be an eight day clock, 2 pounds or so for a 30 Hour.

I suspect the written account applies to some other clock.

 

The story sounds like a complete fabrication written solely for the purpose of selling this clock at a price higher than its value

 

The letter was written in the time period of 1870 to 1911. That was the period when Pittsburgh PA dropped the H. I agree the letter has nothing to do with this clock.

 

May mean something, may mean nothing but I'll throw it out here --

BM & Co. may stand for Birge, Mallory & Company.

If everyone but me knows exactly what this clock is please ignore the following links.

http://www.clockguy.com/SiteRelated/SiteReferencePages/JohnBirge.html

http://www.clockguy.com/SiteRelated/SiteReferencePages/BundyManufacturingCompany.html

 

Thanks to all for coming up with the name of the manufacturer. The clock came to us from the estate of a clock collector, and we have all kinds of odd bits and pieces in their remaining collection. This one is one of the more unusual pieces, especially with the "letter" on the front. The story did seem rather odd. Dave