Hi Everyone;

Got this Hampden in. It's an 18S 21J John Hancock Hunter...Book shows no 21J version, only a 17J. Looks like "Ball Hampden" type damaskeening in the semi circular pattern!

I ran this thru the database, and it shows 3,XXX made, my query is how many different models if any does that encompass? Has anyone seen one, your thoughts appreciated. #965749...1895?

I get more excited over this kind of stuff than anything else...any help appreciated!

I think i have heard this called the 3 ball pattern ,,Maybe someone else can tell you more..Nice Watch i like it.

Tom, that is awesome! It looks like a special treatment of the John Hancock, possible centennial styled. With 21 Jewels it is a major item. The "3-ball" (pic below) is similar but not as pretty as yours.

David;

Thanks...how many of these were made do you think?
It's hard to believe over 3000 yet in 16 odd years this is the first one I've seen...Any more input on this would be appreciated...I'll continue to research it...where does the centennial fit in? The pattern?

Hi Tom, I have the same pattern on an open face 21j John Hancock and I have had a 3 Ball pattern that was not a John Hancock. I seem to remember a very similar pattern on a 21j North American Railroad. I also have 2 18s Dueber hunter cases in silverine and marked Railway. Hampden is interesting because they are not well researched compared to other makers.

THAT is a fantastic movement.

Great Find, Congratulations!

I just picked up a nice Hampden 17J 3 Ball pattern in a coin silver case for $75, I will have to post some pictures of it when it arrives.

Here is a picture of the 21 jewel most often seen.

i do like the dial on these

Sammie the dial on the 3 ball that I picked up this weekend is a bit more gothic, if that is possible, and does not have the "Canton, Ohio" marking and I also have a John Hancock 21j so when I post the 3 Ball pictures I will post some of it also.

To Samie, nice John Hancock!I like those fully marked ones like that.Thanks for showing it.Those dials, with "Canton Ohio" under the signature,I believe were only intended for John Hancocks, because the earlier ones did not have the company H.W. Co. trademark, or "Canton O." markings on the movement.If I'm wrong about that I'm sure some one else will straighten me out.I've seen this dial on Special and New Railways, but I don't think they came that way new.Most John Hancock watches I've seen have this Canton-marked dial.Odd thing about it is, in the Hampden book, in the parts catalog in it, there's no 18S dial listed that mentions the Canton marked version.