posted 04-22-2005 02:50 PM            

Dear List,
I have an English silver pocket watch. The silver case has British marks one lion for Britain, anchor for Birmingham, n for 1912 .

I has also maker's mark but I failed to know the maker's identity. The maker's mark is unclear not only for photo's quality but the mark itself unclear. It seems to me it is W K or W R of Birmingham. Do you has there ever been a silver smith in Birmingham putting initials of his own as W R or W K ?

I shall appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance,
Zaganos of Constantinople

posted 04-22-2005 04:14 PM            

As Patrick says, a better picture would be useful. A very speculative suggestion: a perusal of Jackson's, shows a "VR" in an oval circle (more horizontal than vertical in orientation) as a Bermingham maker in 1833-34. Apart from the similarities of letters, the maker - Vale & Ratheram - is listed in Jackson's as being maker of a "Watch Case".

I must caveat strongly the foregoing suggestion, which is not based on established fact, just guess-work.

Hope this is of help - looking forward to other member's responses (most likely showing my suggestion to be wrong!)and indeed to a better pic from you, if possible (try a magnifying glass over the maker's mark).

Best rgds,

posted 04-22-2005 05:11 PM            

Thank you so much for you all for your quick replies and suggestions. Putting a magnifier on the maker's mark is such a brilliant idea. I will do this as soon as possible. Because I need a day light but it is now evening here. I found out a maker's name William Ehrhardt who worked in Birmingham and made watches besides making silver cases for pocket watches. Likevise the mark also looks like W E .
I shall take another photo and post it here quickly when the sun rises here.

posted 04-23-2005 09:15 AM            

Here is the detailed picture of the maker's seal. I used magnifier to make the seal bigger.
It still seems to me W E.
Thanks ,
My best