A FINE VICTORIAN MAHOGANY LONGCASE REGULATOR Thomas Armstong and Brothers, Manchester, late 19th century The very substantial eight-day four double-screwed pillar movement with 1 inch diameter pillars and quarter-inch thick plates measuring 8.375 by 7.25 inches enclosing wheel train with high wheel/pinion counts, six spoke wheel crossings throughout, Harrisons maintaining power and deadbeat escapement incorporating agate pallets set between twin A-frames, regulated by mercury jar compensated seconds pendulum incorporating wide jaw suspension and hanging from a brass bracket screwed to the case backboard, the 12 inch circular silvered brass dial with subsidiary seconds engraved Regulator to apex over Roman numeral hour dial and signed Tho's Armstrong &, Bro's, Manchester to centre within outer Arabic minute track, with blued steel hands and canted silvered bezel to circumference, the arched case with pendulum hanging access flap to top over arch-glazed door enclosing fine foliate scroll carved and pierced apron beneath dial mirror backboard, on plinth base with cavetto top moulding over recessed flame figured front panel flanked by canted angles on moulded skirt. 193cm (76ins) high, 51cm (20ins) wide, 33cm (13ins) deep. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection. The firm of Thomas Armstrong and Brothers of Manchester can trace its roots back to Joseph Armstrong who established himself as a jeweller and silversmith at 88 Deansgate, Manchester in 1825. By 1851 Joseph's eldest son, Thomas, had succeeded him, and was listed as head of the firm (working in the clock and watch department) in the 1861 Census. By 1868 Thomas had been joined by his brother George Booth Armstrong and the business was re-named 'Thomas Armstrong and brother'. The business continued trading as opticians and makers/suppliers of barometers, scientific instruments and clockmakers both from Manchester and Liverpool until 1965 when they were taken over by Harrisons opticians. The movement of the current lot is notable in being of particularly heavy construction with high wheel/pinion counts. The escapement is also unusual in having pallets apparently made entirely from agate supported between twin 'A' shaped frames.