When is a PS Bartlett a PS Bartlett?

[Bruce W Sims]

Hi Folks:

Just received a little pack of parts that include the pillar plates
and barrel bridge of what I think is a Model 1857 PS Bartlett. I say I think because I seem to be running into a disconnect between what I have and the information I am finding. My go-to resource (see: Swigarts) starts its 18S with the Model 1883, though the open face bears a striking resemblance to what I have. My barrel bridge bears SN 608208 and its key-wound and Key set as reported in the Database. The fly in the ointment seems to be the time when Waltham went from the Barrel Bridge to putting its SN directly on the plate. If I am reading the documents right the SN I have right now should be on the pillar plate. Adding to the mystery is a discernable difference of the patina on the barrel bridge and the pillar plate with that of the plate being markedly brighter and the barrel bridge being noticeable darker.

Since we have quite few folks here who might be able to spot where this is going wrong I though I would pass this on to the authorities here to help me sort this out. The balance bridge seems to match the one in the database picture and I am guessing that I am the proud owner of enough train wheels with some left over. My goal is to locate a balance complete and a few other odds and ends but I don't want to find myself the proud own of a Franken-watch. I am including a picture of the bridge-side but can provide any views needed as requested. Many thanks in advance.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

 

[Bila]

Is the Barrel-bridge serial number the same as what is on the underside of the Train Plate (the back-plate)?

 

[Bruce W Sims]

Here are the other sides of the plates. There are some numbers on the the one plate as well as a date....."February 14, 1865"...and some numbers and letters which seems to read:
"HABBOT PA(T?) Jan 18, 1881"

 

[Jim Haney]

Sorry, It was a common practice to switch the Barrel Bridge among the watches to enrich their value by being Older than they are.

The numbers on the Dial plate verify that the Barrel Bridge did not belong to this watch.

 

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks so much, Jim. Thats exactly what I needed. What is the usual course of action with something like this? Is it a dependable conclusion that most of the pieces I have would then be a Model 1883 or are there some other determinants to be taken into account? I have no problem putting my hobbyist sensibilities into building something as
long as I know what I am dealing with. How did you ken that the numbers didn't match?

 

[topspin]

I checked the database for 608209...

Waltham Pocket Watch: Serial Number 608209 (Grade P.S. Bartlett)

Serial lookups, info, specs, and value for American antique pocket watches covering manufacturers like Elgin, Illinois, Waltham, and Hamilton

pocketwatchdatabase.com

You can see what grade, model, jewel-count and year this watch was when it was all together.
The other point of interest here, if you scroll down the page, is all the photos that people have kindly uploaded. If we assume that 90% of these watches are still in more-or-less original condition, then we may say that this is a pretty good guide to what a fully-assembled model 1857 PSB is supposed to look like.
By way of a comparison, here are some photos of model 1883 PSBs...

Waltham Pocket Watch: Serial Number 3216001 (Grade P.S. Bartlett)

Serial lookups, info, specs, and value for American antique pocket watches covering manufacturers like Elgin, Illinois, Waltham, and Hamilton

pocketwatchdatabase.com

I looked up 1857 PSB here...

NAWCC-Info

It indicates that the last one was made in 1878. So, any component with "HABBOT PA(T?) Jan 18, 1881" stamped on it, is probably not from one of those.

Hope that helps?

 

[Bila]

That is actually an Abbott's Patented Stem-wind attachment, not a "HABBOT"