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Robert Adams Door Spring

8/23/2015

8 Comments

 
In this blog entry I would like to introduce you to another late Victorian door spring known as the 'Victor.' This model is one of a few I consider to be the 'Rolls Royce' of door springs and believe it to be of historical importance. Its full name is 'The London Victor Adjustable Compensating' as can be seen on the pictures of the brass cover plate.

The left and right single action 'Victors' were from a converted Chapel that is now a superb family home deserved of its own blog entry. Therefore I will blog about the site I found them in the future.

From the series of patent applications you can see that this particular model floor spring was patented in July of 1891.

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In the pictures below you can see that the Robert Adams was completely stripped down and rebuilt.

Although very well made the 'Victors' were in urgent need of repair and service, there was quite a bit of wear in both the pivot area and the connecting arm that compressed the spring. This I made up with weld and then reground the parts to remove the wear.

I also added weld to the pin where it connects to the shoe regrinding it square again and also welded the cracked cast iron case on one of the closers.

Interestingly the seal in the piston body was made of leather and was, even after a hundred years, perfectly servicable.

 

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The customer wanted the brass cover plates polishing so M.F.S obliged, also polishing up the brass shoes for them.

Below is the same cover plate I found on the internet with a little less wear, as can be seen the sun rays are more visible around the word London.

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The pair of Robert Adams London Victor's are now ready to go back in the ground and will continue their service for another hundred years.


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8 Comments
Jess the door closer doctor
8/26/2015 12:24:15 pm

Hello MFS, I enjoyed reading about your time rebuilding the Victor floorspring, that coverplate, pretty cool with the detail!!

-Jess

Reply
M.F.S link
8/27/2015 10:56:57 am

Thanks as usual Jess. I had a bit of a job with them but they have come out perfectly....as good as new!

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Roger Barker
8/27/2015 04:17:21 am

Wonderful blog - loved seeing the work as it happened, and also the original patents! Looking forward to welcoming the springs back home soon.

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M.F.S link
8/27/2015 10:59:52 am

Thanks for your comment Roger I look forward to seeing you soon.

Reply
Richard
1/21/2016 12:25:10 pm

Interesting blog but I don't think you are correct in saying that Robert Adam, architect, put his name to this. Apart from the name on the patent being spelled Adams (with an 's'), Robert Adam died in 1792, nearly a hundred years before the patent date (1891)!

Reply
Rod MFS link
1/22/2016 07:19:48 pm

Hi Richard,

I believe you are correct you are the second person to point this out and I shall therefore edit the blog. Thank you so much for your interest and post. I am really pleased you have found the blog interesting and hope you will post again.

Reply
Geoffrey Taylor
11/9/2016 01:03:48 pm

I have one of these original Robert Adam door closers can you tell me please what sort of value this item is worth?

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Alan Doyle
11/29/2021 03:51:13 pm

I'm currently carrying out a fire door inspection at the British museum. They have the sceptre Victor models on some heritage doorsets which are still used daily. They all have serial numbers . These are brass, and the one I'm looking at is number 308. The other leaf has 304

Reply



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    As there is so little information out there with regard to door closers, especially vintage and antique model floor springs, I thought I would start this blog.

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