The back is often very tarnished and the silk that lined the inside may be shabby or missing. The door normally has perforations to allow the sound of the bell to come out, and to prevent dust from entering a thin piece of silk was stuck inside.


The back before cleaning 

Clean the back using Horolene or brass polish. Before you polish vigorously, check that you won't remove some of the repairer's and retailer's notes scribed on the back. Lacquer with clockmaker's lacquer to help prevent it tarnishing.

Using a school compass, draw a circle on a piece of card and check that it fits comfortably inside the back. Now place the card on some thin silk material and using very sharp scissors cut out a circle of fabric.

Put some small spots of Copydex type upholstery glue on the inside of the back, and then place the fabric in position. The glue will spread when you place the fabric in position, so keep it away from the holes.

 
Spots of glue

Press into  into position

Press the fabric into position and allow to dry. Most upholsterer's glues dry clear, so don't worry if you can see some white glue from the outside.

The back finished