Post-Colonial American Pre-industrial watchmaking & cases

[John Matthews]

Keith here is the patent you refer to above.



The year of the patent is 1882. I would think it is possible that prior to this patent, Dueber were using a mark without the name, as on the other case.

John

 

[Jim M.]

Greetings Keith and John
Yes, my comments were for the watchcase # 7994 photo shown in post #42 above. Here is the 1873 trademark registry # 1444 information for the early “Anchor in Shield” makers’ mark. The copied image is not that clear; however, in 1905 Dueber also re-assigned that same maker’s trademark to Hampden Watch Co (better image quality).
Best regards,
Jim M

 

[John Matthews]

Jim good find.

Interesting that the Hampton patent is for watch parts. I have little knowledge of American movements, does that mean the mark can be found on Hampton Watch Co. movements post 1905?

John

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

It was used on a grade of Hampden starting in the 1890s.

You can see a description here
https://mb.nawcc.org/attachments/1896_a_c_becken_cat_pg_02_hampden_18s-jpg.459710/

This grade also have special dial with that trademark.

It was also used on 16s watch movements and dials

The dials seems to have the trade mark earlier on in the grades production, but I've never worked out the specifics on it.

I can confidently tell you that the anchor was used on movements and dials many years before the trademark in 1905.

 

[Jim M.]

It was used on a grade of Hampden starting in the 1890s.
"I can confidently tell you that the anchor was used on movements and dials many years before the trademark in 1905".

Regarding Rick’s observation/quote regarding use of the trademark on movements and dials years before the 1905 trademark was filed, it is also possible/probable the 'Anchor in Shield' mark appears on Dueber watchcases also before the 1873 trademark was filed --- and possibly back to the early 1864 year of the fledgling Dueber watchcase operations.
I can’t remember seeing documentation illustrating the watchcase maker’s mark Dueber had started with in 1864. I do, however, remember members speaking of this Anchor in Shield mark even appearing on early 18K gold cases (and now on Keith’s #7994 coin case).
I find this thread initiated by Jeff informative and useful. My collection interest includes key winds from the 1857-1863 era that were supplied as movements only, and original watchcases for those were made by the early American case makers.

 

[Keith R...]

I would like to thank Jeff for the thread, Jim M and John Matthews for Dueber data.
As Jim indicates, early American cases should be studied and documented. I have
had exchanges with Rich Newman on historical data for early American cases.

My earliest American case is 1800 (to be confirmed).

Keith R...

 

[Nathan Moore]

it is also possible/probable the 'Anchor in Shield' mark appears on Dueber watchcases also before the 1873 trademark was filed --- and possibly back to the early 1864 year of the fledgling Dueber watchcase operations.

Generally, the trademark documentation includes details regarding how long the mark was used prior to the application.

The "anchor in shield" trademark application (#1444) states that the mark was "used in my business for six (6) years last past." The application was filed in August 1873, indicating original use around 1867 if the claim is accurate.