I just bought an Elgin of no significance except that I thought the case was really unique. It has an animal that I think looks like a wolf. I'll post a few images and the experts can tell me their thoughts. I consider all of you to be experts!

Close-up of the critter.

Beautiful case !

The other side of the case. The movement is an 1897 circa Gr. 96, 7 j Elgin. Over 1/2 million made so I'll not waste your time with that.

The dust cover has a pin loose in the hinge and I would like instruction on how to get a new one, and , how to replace it. The front and back covers open as they should and close well. Their hinges are fine.

A "Defrocked Unicorn"?

Find a REAL* Jeweler to fix that hinge.

* One who MAKES Jewelery.

Leon Harris is a master case 'fixer-upper'. He's done several of my hunters and other cases and the repairs are as good as it gets....and he's a master jeweler too.

Regards! Mark

Very unique Mike! I like it! Brad

Nice case Mike. I discovered a zoom feature on my Mac that will take me close enough to see people in the window but I can't figure out that animal. If I look hard enough I can make myself see Dave's Unicorn.

Did you pay more or less than I did for my 7J Elgin?

Lorne, I don't know what you paid unless you bought from me and then I forgot what you paid. I bought this entirely for the case.
The image can't be a unicorn because as any 8 yr old girl will tell you "they have hooves, not paws" it is also too mean looking to be a dog not belonging to the Baskervilles. It has to be a wolf and my intuition tells me it is Transylvanian and was the pocket watch of a Count who associated with werewolves in the Transylvanian Mtns. Probably one of Bram Stoker fame. I would offer it up for $25,000 as a BIN but this isn't the proper forum for that.

Brad, I like it too. I may send it off for repair or maybe just stick a 6 d nail through there I appreciate all comments and if Leon is looking he may offer a fix.

Mike, Leon's the case guru. He'll fix it toot-sweet. If this were mine, I'd put something a little more spectacular in it than a lowly, common 7j. But that's how I roll. Brad

Maybe it is a Panther or a Rabid dog. Actually it looks a lot like my high school algebra teacher who hated me. Nice case though.

BTW Mike, it looks more cat like to me, like a tiger or lion. Brad

I'm going with the wolf. It is a beautiful case that deserves a higher grade movement.

I will put a different movement into this case. The one in it is probably original but who wants it? I'm in no hurry to do this however. I'm surprised nobody agrees with the werewolf idea, he sure looks mean to me. The leg extending down from the creature has a definate paw shape. I think this case appears to be from a similar era as the movement, 1897, but there are no manufacturer marks on the case. There is a serial number of 327044 but that is all

I see this one in my pocket with 3 fingers movement in it
its not wolf or deer its dragon
BTW nice case Mike.

Cross between a wolf and a Tasmanian Devil!Nice case, Mike, is that gold or gold filled? Always seems the nicest most elaborate cases have a clunker movement in them!...Ted.

Mike, I am seeing the animal more clearly now, couldn't see the forest for the trees.
His right front leg is half concealed and the left leg can be seen to the paw. His head is turned to his left, looks like a Hellhound

Mike looks like a wolf to me.

As to the question of metal content. It has no marking whatsoever. I would assume it to be gold filled, but it certainly isn't gold. This could be an alloy of brass that shines up nicely. I polished the outside but don't want to take a chance on the dustcover until it's more stable after repair.

Thanks for your comments. One thing I confirmed by all this is that it is NOT a common design.

Don't know what it is but I think you can see it clearer in this photo.

Mike, it looks a lot like the case that my Elgin Overland is in.

Brad, does your case have any markings?

Just this