Pocket Watch Case ID ?

[HUDD]

Can anyone help me identify an 18 size gold filled quadruple hinged
( bezel, dust cover and outer covers ) pocket watch case ? The only ID marks are the number 74850 and a small oval containing a head in profile on the inside face of the dust cover.

The case is heavily engraved to front and rear covers and appears to be a NOS case adapted to take an 18 size lever set movement with the lever at 24 min and not the usual 26 min.

It came with a Waltham PS Bartlett 15J gilded hunter movement. This has the set lever in the usual 26 min position which means the bezel will not close. I can adapt easily enough by extending the lever access hole in the bezel. Such an alteration doesn't worry me as the original access hole and slot appear to be a post manufacture mod anyway. What does puzzle me though is that the only case screw marks are those that coincide with the PS Bartlett 18 size movement. :?|

Hudd

[Hans Dahlke]

Not having a picture of the hallmark I'm guessing that it could be a mark of the GW Ladd company. They made excellent gold-filled cases of various qualities, and this one with a head that looks like the profile of a native American would have been their lowest grade. I think that all GW Ladd cases had a patent date engraved along the inside of a dust ring in the frame of the case (or on the frame itself). Roy Ehrhardt's Hallmark publication shows a copy of a GW Ladd catalog (I think).

Hans

[HUDD]

Not having a picture of the hallmark I'm guessing that it could be a mark of the GW Ladd company. They made excellent gold-filled cases of various qualities, and this one with a head that looks like the profile of a native American would have been their lowest grade. I think that all GW Ladd cases had a patent date engraved along the inside of a dust ring in the frame of the case (or on the frame itself). Roy Ehrhardt's Hallmark publication shows a copy of a GW Ladd catalog (I think).

Hans



Thanks Hans

I've examined the case in close detail and can't find any patent date or quality indication ... 5, 10, 20yrs etc. The head ( facing left ) isn't clear enough to determine if it is a native American, but I shall follow the lead you gave me and try to find a copy of R E's publication. Thank you again.

Hudd

[Tom McIntyre]

A Ladd case will be marked under the bezel on the case body like this:
Ladd Patent Mark (http://www.awco.org/Illinois/Stuart/PatentMark.jpg)
I always thought the head symbol was George Washington but I have never seen any documentation on it.


Edited to fix reference.

[HUDD]

Hi Tom

Bingo !! Exactly the same name and patent date on the case body under the bezel. I missed it because its close to the bezel hinge between that and the front cover hinge. Not easy to get close access with a loupe. Many thanks indeed.

Hudd