I picked up this little gem off Ebay, 18 size 16j what I beleive to be a Elgin Ball. I also beleive that it was not rail grade. I would ask the learned Gentelman and Ladies if this is indeed a Elgin Ball. The photo is from Ebay.

Sorry the photo is so poor Serial number 11853730
Walter

You have a nice, and rare (2000 made) 16 Jewel Ball Commercial Standard. The report of this production is;
Search Results For "11853730 v=7"
Serial Number SN Range RunQty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
11853730 11853001 2000 1904 331* 18s ofn11p 16j j
only run of grade 331; 730 of 2000 in grade;
730 of 11th model in 18s; 730 of 'J'-shaped/Swan-neck regulator


grade total runs first yr last yr class size code jewels Adj/name
----- ----- ----- -------- ------- ----- ---- ------ ------ ----------
331 2000 1 1904 1904 120 18s ofn11p 16j

(*) notes on grade 331: first 18s model 11
first 'J'-shaped/Swan-neck regulator
# Made for Ball Watch Co

A Nice Collectible!

The Price guide shows it in the $375-$600 range, I see that as low for one in decent shape with the correct case.
Other details reported are;

# Shugart's and Dan Anderson say: "Commercial Standard"
# shugart's says this is "commercial standard", OF, cs HC, and unmarked OF. Or, at least, that's how I read their three entries for G=331
# Elgin master records say "Similar to #148 -- 16 Jewels" "11th Model O Face Pendant Sett -- Change in shape of Cock + B. Br."
# SN11853068 seen as being marked " (later: too old to finish this line)
# SN11853521 seen as marked "Commercial Standard" "Ball Watch Co." "Cleveland O." "16j" but *not* marked "Adjusted" nor marked "333" on ebay 539331013
# SN11853039 seen as marked "Commercial Standard" "Ball Watch Co." "Cleveland O." "16j" but *not* marked "Adjusted" nor marked "333" on ebay 1645879515
# SN11853059 In the collection of Brian Watson dial said to be marked "Ball Watch Co. Cleveland" movement marked "Commercial Standard" *not* marked 333
# SN11853049 seen as marked "Commercial Standard" "Ball Watch Co." "Cleveland O." "16j" but *not* marked "Adjusted" nor marked "333" on ebay 1684342484

Thank you for the wealth of information. It is always nice to have some some positives. David your quick and always professional response is appreciated.
Gotta love this club!
Walter

Out of curiosity, why 16 jewels? After the basic seven, jewels are usually added in pairs, which would give a total of 15 or 17. Where would the "in between" jewel go?

Chris, I don't know the reason for the 16 jewels but they did make 1000 units of the grade 332 for Ball and they were 17 jewel watches....the 16 jewel units were grade 331 and as Dave said in his post, there were 2000 made in one run....
Another bit of info is the 331's were not adjusted and the 332's were....

Regards,

Jerry