The Funkeruhr and timekeeping of communication troops

[sscrooge]

Thanks guys for your confirmation and help it runs really well infact i have it as my bedside clock cheers Dave

[Funksammler]

Funkeruhren by Koehler & Co

A bit of an update on the Koehler & Co Funkeruhren, the most elusive manufacturer of station clocks.

It appears that Koehler & Co was contracted to deliver two batches a Funkeruhren to the army, the first batch in 1940 and a second batch in 1943.

A 1940 example (l) next to a 1943 example (r), both made by Koehler & Co:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05839_zps4ee2d6a3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05839_zps4ee2d6a3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05839_zps4ee2d6a3.jpg"/></a>

As with the other manufacturers, the production of the 1943 example was slightly simplifed. In the 1943 model, the use of light emittiing paint was limited to dots on the hour instead of painting the numbers. The quality of the laquer on the wooden housing has also deteriorated, with the 1943 model looking more weathered than the 1940 model.

Bottom rear view of the Koehler & Co clocks:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05840_zps02c65f03.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05840_zps02c65f03.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05840_zps02c65f03.jpg"/></a>

Unlike with the other manufactur's the metal and finish used in 1943 is not much different from the 1940 model. The Koehler & Co clocks do not have a waffenamt stamp on the bottom of the wooden housing.

Note that unlike with the other manufacturers, the wooden housing of the late war examples was not painted grey but remained laquered with a clear varnish.

Interiors of the 1940 (l) and 1943 (r) examples:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05841_zps491a3cc6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05841_zps491a3cc6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05841_zps491a3cc6.jpg"/></a>

There are some slight differences to the housing of the movement between the 1940 and 1943 model. On the earlier model, the winding bezel has to be removed before the cover can be removed from the clock; on the later model the housing comes off without the need to remove the bezel. Other than that, the differences are mainly in the stampings.

1940 Koehler & Co:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05842_zps1cbddb99.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05842_zps1cbddb99.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05842_zps1cbddb99.jpg"/></a>

The 1940 Koehler & Co has "Heereseigentum", the "KU" logo, the 1940 date and the serial number stamped on the ring of the inner housing. The back of the movement has an ink stamp "L - KU- 9/40" plus Wa.A 409. The Wa.A 409 ink stamp is repeated on the inside of the inner housing. The back of the movement is marked "Koehler & Co Laufamholz" in plain text making it possible to attribute these clocks to this specific manufacturer without any doubts.

Interestingly all examples I have seen so far of the 1940 model are made in marked "9/40", indicating that they were all made in September 1940. The highest serial number I have seen is 4033, so I estimate that the production run was 5000 examples.

1943 Koehler & Co

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05843_zpsec1ec35a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05843_zpsec1ec35a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05843_zpsec1ec35a.jpg"/></a>

It was not until last year that I became aware that another series of Koehler & Co clocks were made, since than I have seen evidence of three late war examples.

The ring of the inner housing is still marked with "Heereseigentum", the "KU" logo, now with 1943 date and serial number. The inside of the inner housing is now marked with a red Wa.A 336 (or 836?) stamp. Note that on the photographed example, the markings (apart from the "KU" logo) on the inner ring have largely been removed with only traces remaining.

The ink stamping on the back of movement has now disappeared as has the "Koehler & Co Laufamholz" stamping.

In fact the only identification to the manufacturer that remains is the "KU" logo on the ring of the housing. This has led to the misidentification of the manufacturer by one German author as "Josef Kaiser" but these clocks are definately made by "Koehler & Co".

The highest serial number found on the 1943 series so far is 3058, so again I estimate that a production run of some 5000 examples was made in 1943.

On both the 1940 and 1943 produced clocks, an internal production number can also be found, stamped on the back of the inner housing and reapeted on the back of the opening lug. The numbers differ from the stamped serial number in all observed cases, so I am not sure what the meaning of this numbering is.

regards,

Funksammler

[Erich B.]

Very interesting! Thanks for the update!
Erich

[Brian C.]

Here are two I just got off of eBay. I do not think the wooden cases are period, they look too new and have no Waffenampts on them.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231087404/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8553/10231087404_56cffdcca6_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231196395/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/10231196395_561045c324_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231197346/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8133/10231197346_2e3971f1a0_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

[Brian C.]

Faces

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231199486/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/10231199486_7088fbbc2f_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231193555/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/10231193555_72fb02acd2_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

[Brian C.]

Back

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231097454/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/10231097454_cae3f41f45_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231198355/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/10231198355_4b436c7997_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

[Brian C.]

Here is my KM version I've had for a little while.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231408445/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/10231408445_5e05267dc7_z.jpg" width="640" height="564" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231419186/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/10231419186_b6be16c0dd_z.jpg" width="640" height="591" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27660206@N02/10231412185/" title="Untitled by briancre, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/10231412185_3a3c03a043_z.jpg" width="600" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

[Funksammler]

The wooden casings are definately repros, they look more like the Tobias Bauerle type with the large cutout on the left side. The correct Junghans and Kienzle housings will not have these cutouts. Wa.A markings are not always a good indication, but your late war Keinzle army clock would have had one stamped on the base.

I like the Kriegsmarine version, even though it is not in the best condition. The hands are not original and the bashed metal rear cover does not belong with the clock. It needs a bit of T.L.C. but it could form the basis of a nice restoration.

regards,

Funksammler

[csmagdo]

Hi Volks!

Finally I could aquire a TB&S Dienstuhr (1943), in perfect operational condition, but modded wooden case (it was modified to be a tableclock).
Here are some photos, the last one being a bit cruel to me...

From the top part a layer has been removed, maybe due to remove a period time demage:



The rest is looking good. The inside is ok as well, I just wonder what that rectangular ingraving-like thing is for under the logo:



The logo is nice and almost clean:



The bottom part was modified: just above the legs cut in an angle (so the legs and the outfoldable metal stands are missing) and a base was attached:



Pls. give me your feedbacks on this item.
I would be thankful for the original measurements of the wooden casing in order to be able to rebuild the legs (width and hight, total casing hight, width and depth) and the outfoldable stands (would need length, thickness and width).
I would also need the diameter of the 3 bottom screws (M4?) if they were metric. A photo of a screw would help a lot!

Thks in advance, take care: Csaba

[Funksammler]

Have a look here: http://uhrforum.de/ausstellfuesse-fu...suhren-t149230

regards,

Funksammler

[csmagdo]

Tnx Remco, just perfect!

Csaba

[benutzer]

Hello
want show my Betriebsuhr #1 , maybe it's going on here

[benutzer]

some more clocks

[Funksammler]

Nice collection!

regards,

Funksammler

[benutzer]

THANKS

hope it's going on here with clocks