1951 Smiths Morley Mantel Clock Westminster Chime British Legion Presentation
1951 Smiths Morley Mantel Clock Westminster Chime British Legion Presentation
Smiths 'Morley' Oak Mantel Clock
with British Legion Presentation
A Post-War British Classic With a Story to Tell
The Smiths 'Morley' is one of the most satisfying British mantel clocks of the mid-twentieth century. The arched oak case on stepped feet is a design of real confidence — substantial without being imposing, traditional without being stuffy. Inside sits a quality eight-day movement delivering the full Westminster chime sequence on the quarters and hour count strike, filling a room with the sound that defined the British home for generations.
Smiths English Clocks Ltd of Enfield were the dominant force in British clockmaking during this period, and the Morley was a flagship model — chosen precisely because it was worth giving. This one was presented to R.C. Morton in October 1951 by the British Legion Harrow Branch, in recognition of his service to the local veterans' community in the years immediately after the Second World War. The men and women of the Harrow Branch thought enough of him to mark it with a quality clock that would last a lifetime. It has.
Smiths Morleys in this condition, fully serviced and with documented provenance, are not easy to find. This is a clock you will be genuinely proud to display.
Fully Serviced & Running Beautifully
This movement has been fully stripped down, ultrasonically cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled by Mahn & Co. It is running consistently, keeping excellent time, and chiming and striking correctly. Wind it up, set it going, and it will do exactly what it should.
The Westminster chime sequence on the rod gong assembly has a warm, resonant tone that carries well without being harsh. This is a clock you will enjoy living with day to day.
The backplate carries the characteristic Smiths diamond-pattern finish and the factory date stamp of 8 October 1951 — a rare and precise record that confirms this clock's age and authenticity beyond any doubt. Very few clocks of this type can be dated to the exact week of manufacture.
At a Glance
| Maker | Smiths English Clocks Ltd, Enfield, London |
| Model | Morley |
| Movement ref | K6A / 327 |
| Movement | Eight-day, Westminster chime on the quarters with hour count strike |
| Case material | Oak |
| Factory date | 8 October 1951 |
| Dimensions | 23 cm wide · 31 cm tall · 13 cm deep 9 in · 12¼ in · 5⅛ in |
| Key | Included (period replacement, not original) |
| Provenance | Presented to R.C. Morton by The British Legion (Harrow) Club Ltd and Harrow Branch, c.1951 |
Honest Assessment — This One Presents Well
Case: The oak case has been carefully cleaned and nourished as part of our preparation, and it has responded beautifully. The grain is now rich and warm, with a depth of colour that makes it look genuinely inviting rather than tired. There is light age-related wear as you would expect from a clock of this age, but nothing that detracts from display. This is a clock that looks the part.
Dial: The silvered dial is clean and clear. Roman numerals and chapter ring are crisp and fully legible. The chrome bezel is in good order.
Plaque: The engraved presentation plaque is intact and fully legible — a centrepiece of this clock's appeal. Some natural tarnishing consistent with age only adds to its character and authenticity.
Movement: Fully serviced by Mahn & Co. Running well and keeping good time. Strike and Westminster chime functioning correctly. Ready to use immediately on arrival.