Help identify hallmark on pocket watch

[WatchSwede]

Hello!
Ive been trying to find out what the hallmarks on my pocket watch really mean. I dont know the manufactor of the watch all I have is the hallmarks.

There is a rectangel with C.800 in it. to the left A and to the right D.
And then you have the crescent moon and crown to the right.

Thx for your help!

http://www.mscc.se/PICT7499.jpg
Admin photo edit - image too large - insert as link or thumbnail only - see Posting Requirements)

[cornishtin]

hi,
i cant help with identifying the maker but i can say its german - the crescent moon and the crown are the hallmarks of germany after 1886.
maybe some else can help with the maker?
regards
cornishtin

[silverport]

Pocket watch case out of Swiss national production

Hello WatchSwede

Welcome to the forum.

Your pocket watch case is »Made in Switzerland« — signification there fore is the »Grouse« punch, placed above the fineness mark. Both significations are the same: Indication of »800-1,000 fineness«.

The »Grouse« itself stand for »Swiss national made item, in 800-1,000 fineness« - in force from 1 July 1934 on. In your case, the letter-indication for the assay-office (placed below of grouse’ beck) seems invisible.

Your interpretation of the separate fineness mark is incorrect; they don’t start or end with any kind of letters, as also not the ciphers: they are 0.800. The law there fore was published on 20 June 1933; and came in force on 1 July 1934.

The third mark (below the fineness mark in ciphers) I couldn’t interpret for lack of clarity — sorry, I’m not specialised on watches. Maybe it’s the maker’s mark?

On the right side shown mark of Crescent and Crown is indeed the German indication for silverware, with a minimum fineness of 800-1,000. The law there fore was first published on 16 July 1884 — without graphic details for symbols … These details were published on 7 January 1886 — that’s the date, cornishtin mentioned (not knowing this incorrectness). Already in the law of 16 July 1884 was published the “start line”: 1 January of 1888. Well, already before for reason of time gap, German producers prepared their products in the new marks system.

Germany never has had, as I know, any import mark. For that reason on 16 July 1884 in paragraph 6 was declared: Ȥ6 Aus dem Ausland eingeführte Gold- und Silberwaren, deren Feingehalt durch eine diesem Gesetz nicht entsprechende Bezeichnung angegeben ist, dürfen nur dann feilgehalten werden, wenn sie außerdem mit einem Stempelzeichen nach Maßgabe dieses Gesetzes versehen sind.« Translation: Imported gold and silver, which fineness isn’t [in mil] indicated in conformity with this law, may only displayed for sale, if they were fitted also with a mark [Crescent and Crown] in accordance with this law.

Also by already existing indication of fineness in mil, the German commercial fitted for reason of commerce the Crescent and Crown on the pocket watch case — as an assurance for the clients, who don’t know the signification of foreign marks. Let on, how big they are.

Kind regards silverport

[silverport]

Hello again

The »Grouse« itself was already in use from 1882 on; with the same signification: »Swiss national made item, in 800-1,000 fineness« - the form of cartouches were different.

In this case is used the "tiny" version of the »Grouse« mark.

From 1882 on, the cartouches were always different between the "normal" and the "tiny" versions.

Kind regards silverport