Dug Pocket Watch - Please Help me Date This

[SaginawIan]

I dug this about 20 feet from where "dantheman" dug a confederate spur(pictured). For reference, I also dug several flat buttons from the same area. I hope this is from the same era, but I can't really tell and don't know much about these. It is the first pocketwatch I have ever dug, and I was so hyped about this one! It was about 7.5 inches deep and appears to be made of brass/copper. What is so cool is that I can actually see glass and gears inside of it from the edge. Any ideas of how to open it? Would there be a maker mark inside?

Thanks, Ian

 

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[FutureProspect784]

SaginawIan,

That's a nice find. I've worked with a few pocket watches in my employment with our provincial museum here on Prince Edward Island, and I can tell you that, from what I've seen, there is most definately a maker's mark on the inside, probably behind the face of the watch. Opening it is really a judgement call. From the picture you posted, the pocketwatch appears to be fairly rusted, so I assume that it may be a bit brittle. If you live close to a museum, you could always take it there and have someone try to open it.

 

[DD-777]

If your going to attempt to open it but don't know how, it would normally open by pushing down on the winder crown (usually). Just be real careful with it - VERY COOL find!!!

 

[ALABEAR]

If you can or if do open it. You can date it from the numbers on the inside on the back of the watch.

 

[finderzzs]

After you pry open the back, the makers name and serial number will be inside. If you give me that number, I may be able to date it.

 

[dg39]

I agree the inside may tell the tale. From what I see it could be very well post CW..1880-1900.
But without any more data, it's hard to tell...
DG

 

[finderzzs]

Yes, I believe 1860's were still key wind. It's your turn to give us the info

 

[lostcauses]

Looks to be a (dollar) watch, a cheap pocket watch as in ingram or westbend etc. I would say about the 30 up.

 

[SaginawIan]

Realizing that this was a cheaper end watch and that I really couldn't make it in much worse condition - I decided to open it up to see if I could find any identifiers. Wow, this thing basically is dust inside as you can see, there is nothing left to see of the inside except a partial patent date that I found on one tiny piece of broken metal. I tried everything to read it, but all I could make out is "PATENTED Jan 25 18--" I know patent date doesn't date the watch - it could have been patented long before it was made. But that's the only clue that I can give. Maybe someone can identify it by the gears so I took close ups of them.

Ian

 

[finderzzs]

It's impossible to tell by the gears now, in that condition. But clean the inside of the door. It should have info on it.

 

[tokenhead]

WOW!,This is tuff!! when i first looked at this i agreed w/"lostcauses"it being a cheap"dollar"watch,but after reading that you(the finder)saw glass&gear's before you opened it got me to thinking that this was a "Hunter Case" watch,yes a CHEAP one because it is most likely brass once gold or silver plated...i did some minor research and belive it IS a 19th.century watch possibly early turn of the 20th.cen.,it would have been opened by pressing down on the"Pendant Crown" which would also set the watch by pulling up&turning&also for winding watch...the closet i came to I.D. is the pic's added from"COMPLETE PRICE GUIDE TO WATCHES" 1ST.Pic is NY Chronograph watch Co.1883-85 2nd.is George P.Reed Boston,Mass.1865-85.I used this as as reference ONLY because pictures show same round"Swing Ring"above pendant crown(used to wind/set,etc.)and have ridges on the outside as yours doe's,all that said this watch could be one of thousand's,MFG.'s that is&by no mean's do i refere to myself as an"Expert" or anything of the sort,just a guy who like's a challange&this is one,last thing.,i'm sure a reputable jewler/watchmaker could give you a better idea of who made it,Thank's for listening!

 

[CRUSADER]

I'm guessing WWI era.