Casting patterns: Weights for Bond regulators No. 394, 395, 396.

Images(18)

Casting patterns: Weights for Bond regulators No. 394, 395, 396.

Datecirca 1867

Inventory Number2005-1-0092

ClassificationCasting Pattern

Subject

Maker William Bond and Son fl. 1793 - 1977

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensionscore box half with label: 8.8 × 16.9 × 16.9 cm (3 7/16 × 6 5/8 × 6 5/8 in.)
core box sleeve: 8 × 15 × 15 cm (3 1/8 × 5 7/8 × 5 7/8 in.)
large spherical casting pattern: 14.3 cm (5 5/8 in.)
small spherical casting pattern: 9.9 cm (3 7/8 in.)
half of mushroom-shaped casting pattern: 14.2 × 13.6 × 6.8 cm (5 9/16 × 5 3/8 × 2 11/16 in.)
cup: 6.6 × 11.5 × 11.5 cm (2 5/8 × 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 in.)

Material

DescriptionThis collection has 7 elements, which have been described as patterns and a core box for the weights of Bond regulators No. 394, 395, and 396.

There are three wood casting patterns for spherical, "cannonball" weights. Two are close in diameter (circumferences: 44.8 cm and 43 cm), and the third is smaller (circumference: 31.2 cm). One of the larger patterns is a hemisphere set on a tall cylindrical base. It is split vertically into two halves, each appearing mushroom-shaped. Two wooden pegs join and align the halves together. The tall base of this pattern fits neatly into the center of a slightly-tapered fat sleeve. This sleeve is one half of the core box. The other half of the core box is a fat, sllightly-tapered cylinder with a concave hemisphere cut into the top. The large, non-split, spherical casting pattern sits well in this cup.

The final element is a slightly-tapered wooden cup with a turned base and lip. It is fashioned of many strips of wood. The interior of the cup has vertical strips positioned like barrel staves and the exterior has strips bent horizontally around the side. The base is flat on the inside and has a raised ring on the underside of the cup. Wood forming part of this ring is missing. Although the smaller spherical weight pattern has long been associated with this cup, it does not mate with the cup. The cup is probably another casting pattern for a Bond instrument..

The side of the core box displays a gummed paper label with ink inscription in Ebenezer Gay's handwriting: "Core box - 2 parts - for weights of Wm Bond & Son Clocks Nos 394, 395, & 396."

Separate label found with the object grouping (also in Ebenezer Gay's handwriting) states: "Split pattern & 2 part core box for brass shells of weights Wm Bond & Son Clock No 394".

The original Bond Pattern Inventory lists this grouping as "Weight set for 394-6, 5 pieces including core box", but there is now an additional spherical weight and cup casting pattern in this grouping (8/10/2010).

Signedunsigned

Inscribedin ink on paper label on core box: Core box - 2 parts - for weights / of Wm Bond & Son Clocks / Nos 394, 395, & 396 in ink on label found with objects: Split pattern & 2 part core box for brass shells of weights Wm Bond & Son Clock No 394

FunctionBefore sand casting an instrument part from brass or other metal, a foundry pattern is made from wood or metal. The pattern is a replica of the part to be cast,. The pattern is pressed into sand, creating a cavity into which the molten metal will be poured.

ProvenanceWilliam B. Osgood, gift to CHSI, 1959.

Historical AttributesThese foundry patterns came from the workshop of William Bond & Son. Some of the patterns are associated with astronomical regulators and instruments used at the Harvard College Observatory. These instrument are currently in the Harvard Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.