I wish to identify & date a coin silver pocket watch case. The German hallmark & purity is precisely etched inside the machine finished dust cover, sooo maybe late 19th to early 20th century(?).
There is an image of a buffalo / bison in the center of the dust cover (away from the hallmarks). Also precisely etched. Seems odd for a German origin.
Most German silver marks I have seen are .800, .825 etc. This is 0.900, which I understand was required of U.S. 'Coin Silver'.
I wonder if this is a German craftsman immigrant to the U.S., keeping the loyalty to his home country's hallmark.
The watch came from CA, with no markings on the movement -- no clues there. --Any help would be appreciated.
German post 1886 (cresent/crown) .900 buffalo/bison mfg mark
Common silver standards are .800 & .835, but .830, .900, .925 and .935 purities are also used are also used in Germany. Much of Europe was fascinated by the American West at the turn of the century. Buffalo Bill Cody greatly enriched himself with European tours of his "Wild West Show". I'm sure many smart European businessmen began employing Western imagery at the time - Buffalo being an obvious choice.
Regards, Tom
Regards, Tom