Hamilton 2974B Research Project

[rrstd]

I have started working on a project to document and define the various markings used on the earliest Hamilton 2974B runs. To move forward with this project, I would like to request the following information on any watches in the K001-K2400 serial range:

1. Serial Number
2. Is movement marked “Elinvar”. If so, where is marking located?
3. Does movement have Govt markings (i.e. US Navy, BU Ships, US, Govt. etc…). If so, what markings are present and where are they located?

I would also be interested in receiving serial numbers and descriptions on any of the very early watches from this run which may be marked “974B”.

Any and all help would be much appreciated. Pictures or information can be posted here or sent to me privately at rrstd@yahoo.com

Regards,

Rhett

[lak611]

I have started working on a project to document and define the various markings used on the earliest Hamilton 2974B runs. To move forward with this project, I would like to request the following information on any watches in the K001-K2400 serial range:

1. Serial Number
2. Is movement marked “Elinvar”. If so, where is marking located?
3. Does movement have Govt markings (i.e. US Navy, BU Ships, US, Govt. etc…). If so, what markings are present and where are they located?

I would also be interested in receiving serial numbers and descriptions on any of the very early watches from this run which may be marked “974B”.

Any and all help would be much appreciated. Pictures or information can be posted here or sent to me privately at rrstd@yahoo.com

Regards,

Rhett

This linkClick Here (http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA184870.html) might be of interest to you.

[Fred Hansen]

Hi Rhett -

Here's a few from the Jones-Horan archives ...

K449 ... marked "2974B", marked "U.S. Navy Bu. Ships" on barrel bridge, not marked Elinvar

K807 ... marked "2974B", marked "U.S. Navy Bu. Ships" on train bridge, not marked Elinvar

K830 ... marked "2974B", marked "U.S. Navy Bu. Ships" on train bridge, not marked Elinvar

Fred

p.s. Do you have any interest in examples at 2K serial ranges?

[rrstd]

Thanks Fred,

I had not thought about going through the old Jones-Horan archives.

At this time, my interest is primarily on the "K" serial numbers.

[Ralph Porter]

Hi Rhett,
Here's the data for mine, I'll send some pic's as soon as I can get my scanner to cooperate.

SN: K1386 the numbers are smaller than normal.

The movement is not marked "Elinvar".

The government marking is on smaller plate to the right of the lower case screw. It reads, "U. S. NAVY" and below that "BU. SHIPS", both located between the two plate screws. Along the left edge of that plate it reads, "2974 B" and then "17 Jewels".

It is marked "Hamilton Watch Co. U.S.A." just above the lower case screw, and marked "Adj. Temp And 3 Pos." just above the center wheel jewel, both generally paralleling the right edge of the main plate.

The watch is in a Keystone Base Metal case. The back is marked "BUREAU OF SHIPS" in an arc at the top, then "U.S. NAVY" and "COMPARING WATCH" in two lines and below that, "NO. 1606-1941". The case also has an inside snap-on dust cover.

The dial has the stylized RR track around the main dial and seconds register. The hands the spade and pointer typical of the 992B rather than the baton style commonly seen on this watch.

I hope this helps,
Ralph

[Fred Hansen]

Another serial number from the Jones-Horan archives ...

K1576 ... marked "2974B", marked "U.S. Navy Bu. Ships" on train bridge, not marked Elinvar

And with permission from Jones-Horan auction, here are some of their past 2974B photos for comparison of a few different movement marking variants. And Rhett isn't recording them in this project, but just to illustrate different markings I've included two with 2K serial prefixes here ...

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0403/sm21_c.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0504/jm7_c.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/images/0502/ac16_c.jpg

http://www.jones-horan.com/0604/images/mw661_c.jpg

Fred

[rrstd]

Thanks again Fred,

I've added these to my small, but growing database.

Rhett

[Ralph Porter]

Here's the scans of the 2974B I described a couple days ago.

Ralph

[rrstd]

Ralph,

Thanks you very much for the information and pictures.

[rrstd]

Still looking for examples of these early 2974B and 974B's to add to my research database.

Rhett

[josbern]

:cool:Hi Rhett, My Hamilton 2974B details:

On barrel bridge Hamilton On Base plate K1571
Watch co.
USA

Between centre wheel & crown wheel:

Adj
Temp and
3 pos On 4th wheel and escapement wheel bridge 2974B
17 Jewels
U.S. Navy
Bu Ships

[rrstd]

Thanks and keep em coming.

Rhett

[rrstd]

Still looking for new examples to record.

Rhett