Saturday Morning Quiz (2-9-2008)

[Robert Sweet]

The Wadsworth No. 2 case had its beginning, Mar. 11, 1926, and over the course of the next 28 years it was the home of the 992, 992E, 992B, 950, 950E, and 950B.

What other grade movement would also be correct for the No. 2 case?

Robert

[Kent]

974 Special, including the Interurban and Electric Specials?

[Fred Hansen]

Not a separate grade but I'd add the 992 Special ... :)

[Robert Sweet]

Kent,
Good guess, but not the correct answer.

Fred,
Also a good guess, but again incorrect.

Robert

[terry hall]

I have seen an elgin BWR cased in a model 2 with one set of screw marks.....

but... i gots to say Bunn Special....

[Fred Hansen]

Robert -

I agree mine was not a correct answer to your question because the 992 Special is not a separate grade.

I have seen evidence to suggest that some of the later 992 Specials were cased in the model 2 though ... as one of the timebook type of booklets passed through eBay about 4 years ago and had an advertisement that read "Just out ... Hamilton 992 Special ... 8 Adjustments ... 21 Jewels ... The Best Railroad Watch in the World" and this ad illustrated a 16 size in a model 2 case with a dial that read "Hamilton Adjusted for Railroad Service 21 Jewels 8 Adjustments".

Fred

[terry hall]

I have seen evidence to suggest that some of the later 992 Specials were cased in the model 2 though ... as one of the timebook type of booklets passed through eBay about 4 years ago and had an advertisement that read "Just out ... Hamilton 992 Special ... 8 Adjustments ... 21 Jewels ... The Best Railroad Watch in the World" and this ad illustrated a 16 size in a model 2 case with a dial that read "Hamilton Adjusted for Railroad Service 21 Jewels 8 Adjustments".

yep... i remember missing that one on bidding.... :bang:

[Robert Sweet]

Ok, here is the first clue. This movement has less than 21 jewels.

Robert

[Michael R. Dutton]

Dueber Hampden Wm McKinley?

[Robert Sweet]

The 19 jewel, motor barrel, Hamilton 996 was introduced in 1915 and continued in production until 1928 with about 23,498 being made.

The 996 is listed in the Hamilton "Price List" of May 1, 1925 being available in the "Railroad Model" or "No.1" and referred by some as the "Crossbar". It was also available in the No. 1, in the July 10, 1925 "Price List".

The 996 first shows up available in the No. 2 case in the July 1, 1926 "Price List" and was also available in the No. 3. case.

The Jan 1, 1928 "Price List" also lists the 996 available in the No. 2, and No. 4.

Thanks to all who participated.

Robert

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2252973531_fd916cb409_o.jpg

[IMHO]

Thanks for the interesting thread!

It would appear that the wholesale cost of the No. 2 or No. 4 cases was then about $9 if the 996 movemennt alone was selling for $19 as indicated. I'm assuming here that the $19 price for the 996 movement is also a wholelsale "best" price.

Question: I wonder if "NEW" within the 996 movement description means only that the movements are factory new, or is there something else in the description that changes the configuration of the 1928 996 from earlier 996's?

Dave

[Fred Hansen]

Great info Robert!

Fred

[Robert Sweet]

Question: I wonder if "NEW" within the 996 movement description means only that the movements are factory new, or is there something else in the description that changes the configuration of the 1928 996 from earlier 996's?

Dave


Dave,
The word "New" in the movement description is referring to the 996 as a "New" movement being introduced is 1915.

Don Dahlberg may have some interesting info about the 996 from the "Halligan" files that he could share, i.e. changes to the movement, etc.

Robert

[Robert Sweet]

Fred,
Thank you.

I wonder how many 996's have been removed from an original No. 1, 2, 3, 4, case believing the combination was incorrect.

One other thought, why would someone purchase the 19 jewel 996, when they could have purchase the 21 jewel 992 in the same case for $5.00 more? I suppose $5.00 in those days was a considerable amount of money, especially one year later in 1929 when the "Great Depression" hit.

p.s. Thanks for sharing the nice info about the 992 "Special" and the No. 2 case.

Robert

[Kent]

I suspect that $5 was at least a half a day's pay to a lot of railroaders.

[Fred Hansen]

One other thought, why would someone purchase the 19 jewel 996, when they could have purchase the 21 jewel 992 in the same case for $5.00 more?

Maybe they really liked the fancier damaskeen? IMO the 996 is the much prettier looking movement ... :)

Fred

[Tom McIntyre]

For those jewelers who felt the cap jewels were more trouble than they were worth the 996 was a better watch also. Don can perhaps tell us if it had the same accuracy specs.

The same observation applies to all the 19J jewelled barrel watches from Elgin and Waltham also.
typo

[terry hall]

:clap:

Thanks....
that was my next guess...... :clap: