Silver Pocket Watch

dale · Post by **dale** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:14 am

Hello All

I obtained a silver pocket watch some years ago and would like help on identifying the following:

it has stamped on it
3 sheaves and sword which tells me its Chester?
CH = Chester assay office ?
H = ?
Lion passant? I believe this is to say its .925 silver??

on the front is the name of the watchmaker or I believe its the watchmaker William H Harris, Coventry

As I do not know anything about silver at all it would be nice to know the age and a bit about the maker and the watch itself

This watch is at present not working, so needs some tlc
Its in good condition and also inside on the back plate is an inscription which I am not sure was put there at the time the watch was made or as an after thought by someone and that says, I think May ??85

Anyone out there can help it would be very much appreciated
Thanks in advance
Dale

Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:27 am

Hello and welcome to the forum Dale.
Glad you got the pictures. I enhanced your picture of the marks.

I read the marks as Chester 1891.
The lion passant does indicate sterling silver.
Believe the CH mark is Charles Hill, of Russell Terrace, Chapel Fields, Coventry. He entered this mark at Chester on August 11, 1869.

In case anyone is wondering, the mark of Charles Harris included a period between the C and H.

Source: "Watch Case Makers of England" by Philip T. Priestley.

Pat.

dale · Post by **dale** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:02 am

Hi Pat

Many thanks for that, however, the would you know why the face of the watch should have William H Harris on it!!

If the marks on the back clearly show someone else, which one was actually the maker.

According to pages on the web I thought to be honest that the watch was much older, clearly not. Reasons for thinking that was because the pages showing the marks said that 3 wheatsheaves with a sword were c 1676 - 1701 ? is this in-correct? and it then went on to saythat after this period the Chester office then produced / stamped things with just 3 wheatsheaves

Post by **2209patrick** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:30 am

Hi Dale.

Charles Hill just produced the watch case.
William H Harris made the watch.

Sure looks like Chester 1891 to me.
Hopefully other members will confirm or dispute the date.

Pat.

dale · Post by **dale** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:44 am

Thanks Pat

Hope someone can confirm your findings

Dale