Today I would like to introduce you to a fine old Pre-First World War Schubert & Werth of Berlin 'Eagle' Door Check that has seen far better days. When I got it I discovered the con-rod is badly worn, the piston has turned 45 degrees (becoming unconnected from the spindle and crank, which is also bent), the piston is frozen in the bore, the main spring was disconnected, the gland nut is shattered into three pieces, all the seals are perished and the spring in the arm is snapped, some may say therefore fit only for the bin!
Considering however that the makers Schubert and Werth were exhibiting in the Exhibition of the German Empire in Chicago 1893 I hope to save it from the bin. The original version of this door closer was introduced around 1902, having a single valve to the front and no valve on the top, to the right as can be seen in my photographs.
As you will see this antique door closer would not look out of place in the Reichstag Building or even the Winter Place.
Considering however that the makers Schubert and Werth were exhibiting in the Exhibition of the German Empire in Chicago 1893 I hope to save it from the bin. The original version of this door closer was introduced around 1902, having a single valve to the front and no valve on the top, to the right as can be seen in my photographs.
As you will see this antique door closer would not look out of place in the Reichstag Building or even the Winter Place.
I really love the depth of cast and the fine Prussian Eagle.
The broken gland nut.
The bent and twisted crank.
A shot of the top cover after the top sleeve has been removed and the beginning of the 'Adlers' renovation and repair.
For those interested the inscription reads: Schubert & Werth, Berlin, Door Check/Door Closer, Factory.
For those interested the inscription reads: Schubert & Werth, Berlin, Door Check/Door Closer, Factory.
As can be seen above the Pheon...Prussian Eagle is slowly rising from the ashes. The original Adler was gold in colour but on this rare occasion I have decided to change the colour of the door closer from gold to matt black, slightly scuffed/polished back off to pick out the high points.
Of course the outside of this door closer is the easy part to the repair/renovation, it is the mechanicals that are causing the problems as described above.
Of course the outside of this door closer is the easy part to the repair/renovation, it is the mechanicals that are causing the problems as described above.
Up date: The beautiful old ADLER is now back working as it should, this was certainly not an easy repair as the piston was seized solid in the bore, there was major wear to the con rod, the crank was both bent and twisted, all seals had perished long ago, the spring in the arm was rusted through and the gland nut was broken into three pieces.
You can see it working at our You Tube site, not the most fitting of doors to have the ADLER mounted to but it can at least be shown to be working.
https://youtu.be/yqgJ0ueJu8c
You can see it working at our You Tube site, not the most fitting of doors to have the ADLER mounted to but it can at least be shown to be working.
https://youtu.be/yqgJ0ueJu8c
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