I recently aquired an 18 Elgin hunter case pw. I am having trouble in opening the back inner case, Any ideas as I don't want to scratch up the case. I don't think it has been opened since 1936 as per the etching on the case.

Take it to a Jeweler or place that changes watch batteries. They should be able to pop the inside back dust cover open without damage.

If I were you Mario I would do myself a favour and jump online and buy a good quality case opener (in the Bergeon knife opener style). Once you have it carefully look around the inner dust cover, you will find a slight indentation ot groove cut into the lip of the dust cover in about the 5 O'clock Dial postion which would be about, if the watch is pendant up, and you are looking from the dust cover side (the back) about 10-12mm (3/8 to 1/2 inch) clockwise from the pendant. Hold the the watch in the palm of your left hand (that is if you are right handed) and carefully place the blade in the above mentioned indentation and push firmly but carefully, this will cause the dust cover to pop, thereby you will have access to the movement. Hope this helps?

Best Regards,
Bila

I use a Swiss army knife. I dulled the smaller blade to something approaching a butter knife and have been using it ever since.

Thank you all for the advice, it does look like someone before me tried to open it as there are some scratches.

I had one I couldn't get open as I did not have the tools, so I sent it to Chris Able and he poped it open and returned it the same day. Very reasonable too.