A Regulator clock by William Chisholm, London. Baillie has no record of the maker but by the design of its original case, we believe it to be late 18th century circa 1790. The 8 day movement has just been cleaned and restored and is in good working order.
An interesting example with a 'breakaway' crutch: being a regulator, with a deadbeat escapement, it is paramount that the clock is sited on a firm and level floor where no movement of the clock can occur. However these types of clocks were shipped throughout the British Empire and some were destined for countries that were either close to or on major fault lines or areas of high volcanic activity. In the event of there being either an earthquake or a volcanic eruption causing a violent tremor of the building in which the clock was situated, then a clock with a conventional crutch (pin or slot) could end up damaging the escapement as the pendulum is constantly engaged so the pendulum's mass would invariably put a strain onto the escapement components which could cause significant damage and prove very costly to repair, not to mention downtime of the clock if it is in a situation that is reliant on said clock's accuracy.
With a 'breakaway' crutch should there be a severe ground disturbance the weighted crutch impulse arm will simply ride over the impulse pin attached to the pendulum. This is easily reset and, as no force or constant engagement is present, no damage occurs and the status quo is soon restored with no cost or downtime suffered.

Fine mahogany case of a good colour and patina with canted fluted corners to the trunk and hood; the hood with arched glazed door, swan-neck pediment with carved paterae and a central cast anthemion finial.

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