Civil War Army Watch, Rare “Gutta Percha” or “Thermoplastic” Case / SOLD

Civil War Army Watch - Inventory Number: PER 415 / SOLD

Rare “Gutta Percha” or “Thermoplastic” Case.  

This watch was known at the period as a railway keepers watch and has a view glass so the time is visible without having to spend the time to open the case.  These are depicted in the Harper’s Weekly newspaper as the Army and Navy watch.  This example is the first we have encountered in gutta percha and was in the time where the experimentation of this material was at its height.  The previous owner speculated it was to keep a shiny object from being seen and shot at such as the Sharpshooter’s buttons made by Goodyear.  This is a clean watch with fully functional original key.  The interior of the case is silver.  The porcelain face is in wonderful condition and retains the hour, minutes, and second hands. Avery rare watch from the conflict.

Comes housed in 6 inch x 8 inch riker display case with red velvet and descriptive card.

Inventory Number: PER 415 / SOLD