I have recently acquired a gold vest chain that has only one marking up by the swivel, "GW 1/10"

Anyone know what 'GW' means? I'm guessing 'gold weight', but I may be WAY off.

Ideas?

Regards! Mark

I hope you didn't pay "gold" prices for this gold filled chain ??

regards,
bb

No, I didn't. I know it's gold filled.

The 1/10 told me that.

Why not just use 'GF' instead?

That's what I'd like to know.

What does 'GW' stand for?

Thanks.

Mark

Don't remember seeing that before, just wanted to make sure you didn't get burned.

regards,
bb

It means it is twice as good, twice the gold content, as those gf chains marked 1/20. I have always heard 1/20 meant the gf chain contained 5 per cent gold.

No sir, but a GREAT deal on a really heavy weight vest chain that I'm over the moon about. It's an old one too, and works perfectly on my 1882 Elgin Hunter.

Michael, so the GW is a designation of higher than standard gold fill? That would be nice.

Still, what would GW actually stand for?

I'm with Buster, it's a new one on me too.

I am wondering, due to its age, if it's one of those 'invented' designations used by the maker to denote gold content, with the 1/10 following mark. They seemed to be all over the map before regulation. Just a guess, though.

Regards! Mark

My guess is that is the initials for a company or jeweler that sold this line of goods.

Like H*H or BB... similar to a makers mark.

Makes sense.

Regards! Mark

Here is one explanation only for the 1/20 portion of your question.

What is gold filled and how to calculate its scrap value?

Could this mean Gold Washed?

Mark - Maybe GW could mean 'Gold Weight'. Just my speculation.

Thanks for the responses to date. Sorry I've been off line for a couple of days, as I've been out of town.

I don't believe gold washed, Charlie. I've looked at the chain with my loupe, and see no sign of wear through on the links, and this is one heavy weight OLD vest chain. I'd say I'd see a lot of brass if it was wash.

That was my first guess, Joe.

Thanks all for your thoughts, and thank you for the link, Lorne!

Regards! Mark