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What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 2:52 pm
by dognose
What-is-it question CXCXI
A clever little invention that was on display at the Industries Exhibition at Birmingham in 1886. It was made by the Birmingham silversmiths G.E. Walton & Co.
Any thoughts?
Trev.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 4:54 am
by oel
Some type of silver swivel?
Oel.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 5:10 am
by dognose
Hi Oel,
Indeed it is a swivel for attaching a watch to a watchchain, but this is no normal swivel.
Trev.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 5:30 am
by oel
Something like this type of hook on swivel ?
Oel.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:40 am
by dognose
Sorry Oel, I may have misled you slightly. This is the part of the swivel that is in question:
It is not decorative, it has a particular purpose.
Trev.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:10 am
by dragonflywink
Looks like an anti-theft devise, if a pickpocket pulled on the chain, those little spikes would drop down to catch the pocket fabric, the owner would know to pull it out while holding the spikes flat...
~Cheryl
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:19 am
by oel
Yes, Cheryl that must be it, congrats!
Oel.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:49 pm
by dognose
Well done Cheryl!
Described as 'Chief Inspector William's Patent Watch Protector or Thief Catcher', it presumably had the duel benefit of preventing the actual theft and also that of alerting the victim to the attempt and thus possibly leading to the apprehension of the culprit.
Trev.
Re: What-is-it question CXCXI
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 3:53 pm
by dognose
A variation of the device produced by the Dennison Watch Co. of Birmingham in 1911:
Dennison Watch Case Co. - Birmingham - 1911
Trev.
