Smiths Enfield “St Paul’s” Bakelite Bim-Bam Mantel Clock

Circa 1950s • Fully Serviced • Made in Great Britain

Affectionately named Basil

Meet Basil

We have affectionately named this one Basil. He is not a flamboyant Westminster performer. Basil is the dependable sort, measured and characterful, happiest marking the hours in a warm voice without making the whole room about him.

After many decades of service he carries the small marks and gentle variation that make this particular clock individual, and he is ready to begin his next chapter with the character earned in his first.

A handsome British-made mantel clock in the moulded brown Bakelite case that gives the “St Paul’s” model its familiar profile. The sweeping arched top, shaped feet and richly mottled finish make this one of the more attractive Smiths Bakelite designs, and it has polished up beautifully.

The model name is confirmed against a Smiths brochure of the 1950s, which places the design firmly within that period.

The Movement and Strike

The two-train mechanical movement sounds the traditional bim-bam sequence on gong rods, counting the hours on the hour with a single strike at the half-hour. It is a warm, resonant note, less elaborate than a Westminster chime and all the more characterful for it.

Winding is by key from the front dial, and the clock runs for eight days between windings.

Dial and Case

The cream and gilt dial carries bold black Roman numerals, its original decorative hands and the Smiths Enfield signature, protected behind a glazed hinged brass bezel.

The moulded Bakelite case has been cleaned and polished by hand, bringing up a deep chocolate brown with attractive mottled figuring. The compact proportions suit a mantelpiece, shelf or side table.

Smiths of Enfield

S. Smith & Sons began in London in the mid-nineteenth century and grew into one of Britain’s great clockmaking names, supplying instruments to the motor trade, the railways and the home. Clock production moved to a purpose-built works at Enfield in Middlesex, and the Enfield name became the mark found on the domestic mantel and wall clocks of the period.

Through the 1930s to the 1950s the firm produced a long run of striking and chiming mantel clocks in oak, walnut and moulded Bakelite. They were built to be lived with, wound weekly and passed down, which is why so many of them are still keeping good time today.

Workshop Service

This clock has been through a full service on the bench. Every stage below has been carried out by hand:

Dimensions

Condition

Very good restored vintage condition, with the Bakelite case displaying particularly well. There is age-related wear to the gilt finish of the bezel and some natural ageing and light marking to the original dial.

The rear door has an older sympathetic repair using wood battens, and there is historic soldering work to the front door. Both are sound and secure.

All of this is shown clearly in the photographs, which form an important part of the description. Please do study them.

Setting Up at Home

Basil is supplied with a winding key.

Mechanical clocks can need a little regulation once they have travelled and settled into a new home. Straightforward setup and regulation guidance is supplied, and I am always happy to help after delivery.

Basil: a warm-voiced British classic, carefully restored for his next home.

Antique and vintage clocks, serviced by hand in Norwich.

Carefully double-boxed and fully insured in transit.

30-day returns. Questions are always welcome before or after purchase.