"Belgica" Pigeon Racing Clock

Outer case of Oak, comb jointed, approx 7" x 7" x 4.5". Inner case of nickel plated brass with glazed top which can only be opened at "0" position. The glazing is original as it carries the Belgica logo.

Movement looks to be of excellent quality and has provision for paper dials which are inserted before each race. A lever protudes at one side, there is a opening at the top and an interlock described below.

In use the clock is started by a small turn Which looks like an alarm clock winder, then, after the paper dials have been fitted, the lid is closed and the unit placed in its outer case. When the pigeons are released the lever is pressed marking the time by a pinprick in the paper dials, and also locking the inner case into the outer oak one.
When a bird returns a marker is removed from its leg and placed in a small container (thimble) which is dropped into the opening at the top. The lever is then pressed to mark the time and this action rotates a drum locking in the thimble and enabling another bird to be timed.

Several security precautions are built in. The outer case lid can be sealed with a wire link (a la electric meters), in the outer case there are two small cans of ball bearings to make a noise if fiddling is going on. There is another similar can on the movement itself. In the case lid there is a small tin box about .5" square containing candle wax... I suspect that this was in case someone tried heating the case to affect the clock's rate, and finally, attached to the movement but not connected to it is a rocker arm and ratchet which is geared to a pointer travelling round a small dial. Any repeated shaking of the clock turns the pointer into the red sector.

This timer is described in the Shentons' book (Ref CC 1996 ed) as a collectors piece . The value is given as £300 in the latest price guide update that I have seen.