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There are several books on skeleton clocks:

F. B. Royer-Collard. Skeleton Clocks, London, N.A.G. Press, UK, 1969, 1977. ISBN 7198 0110 9.

Derek Roberts. Skeleton Clocks Britain 1800-1914, Suffolk UK, Antique Collectors’ Club, 1987. ISBN 1 85149 256 9.

Derek Roberts. Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, West Chester, PA, USA, Schiffer Publishing LTD, 1989. ISBN 0-88740-182-1.

In addition, several authors have published construction manuals on skeleton clocks in clockmaking and model engineering journals in the UK and USA, several of which (UK) have ceased operations. However, the best known of these authors had the manuals reprinted in comb bound format and these are still available (2012). John Wilding in the UK wrote manuals on Large Wheel, Elegant Scroll Frame, Chrystal Wheel and Scissors. Bill Smith in the US wrote on Lyre, Grasshopper and Epicyclic skeleton clocks.

The Nomenclature for Skeleton clocks is somewhat different than for cased clocks, for example, part of the brass framework of a tall clock is called a plate, for skeletons, a frame.

Frames of British skeleton clocks are listed by Roberts : Rafter (Including inverted “Y” frame), Gothic, Scroll (including lyre), Floral (ivy leaf and arabesque) and Architectural.

The photos are of some relatively simple commercial skeleton clocks with architectural frames, specifically of cathedrals in Great Britain: Litchfield and York Minster. The last is based on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England. Maker is unknown, all have passing strike.

France: Rafter (especially inverted “Y” a typical French design), Glass and Keyhole (Roberts’ term) as well as ornate designs.

The (Escapement) of a skeleton clock is typically different from one used in a tall case, mantle and wall clock. In Great Britain, anchor (recoil), dead beat, balance wheel and tic tac. In France, pinwheel, coup perdu, (both dead beat), crossbeat or variant of Dutretre’s escapement.

The motive power is typically with a spring and, in BritainFusee, or, in France, a Going Barrel although weight-driven clocks were made in these small sizes with durations up to a month usually with two weights wound around the same barrel. British clocks sometimes used a Remontoire to power the strike. Tall case clocks most often had a time and strike train, later a chime train was added. A skeleton clock would utilize a passing strike that struck just once on the hour.