Some sources suggest that the firm of James Gibbons (Now James Gibbons Format) Architectural Ironmongers was started as early as 1670 http://www.jgf.co.uk/ other sources suggest 1750 http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/locks/gazetteer/gibbons/gibbons2.htm regardless of which date is correct these particular floor springs are of the finest quality. I have previously described Robert Adams as the "Rolls Royce" of floor springs and if so these particular Gibbons must be the "Bentley" of their day. The Zenith's as they are called are certainly deserved of the title and are from around the 1920's.
This particular door spring can be found in many of the finest historical settings in the UK, including I believe the Houses of Parliament.
The Zenith has now been completely serviced and repaired, ready to go back in the ground to unassumingly control the doors for decades to come.
The full history of the Gibbons firm can be found in this link, in my opinion it is fascinating and well worth the read. http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/locks/gazetteer/gibbons/gibbons11.htm
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