I’m an absolute newbie (joined yesterday) and have been reading with interest the postings in this forum, so forgive me if my questions are answered elsewhere.
Is there a lost or stolen database? I recently purchased a Hamilton 992B on eBay and received it, immediately noticing that there had been engraving on the back of the case which had been ground off in some way. I suppose that someone selling this watch might have thought it more sellable without any personalization, but there may have been other less honorable motives, as well. There was no indication in the eBay description about this.
The serial number on the movement does not match any that are listed on posts in this forum. I was wondering if there is a database somewhere that one could check against?

Hi and welcome , the case may have been an old military issue , look up this link ; https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...0103944/m/6173944197
you may want to post a picture , the case's have serial numbers on all the piece's , so to repair it it may be worth sending it to case repair shop like ;https://www.pocketwatchcaserepair.com/contactus good luck with it

Here is a pic of the back of the case. The ghost of the letter “A” can be seen in the upper left quadrant, and the serifs of other letters in several lines below.

Sorry, rotate the pic 90 degrees ccw .. still a rookie at this photo posting

Movement serial number C498513 puts the date at about 1965 production. Don’t know if the case number is contemporary.
And here is a pic of the inside of the back. There are numbers scratched (151178?) at the perimeter, and perhaps some more about 120 degrees further around.
Any idea what the scratched numbers might be? A date?

Steve, if your movement is from 1965 or so,I believe
the case with the "P" prefix is correct for it.
As for the inscriptions on the case they were mqde
by a watch repair person. And only he would know the meaning of them. Personally I would not let the
etching on the back bother me. Heck,I might take it
to a jeweler and have him inscribe my initials on it. Just my take on it.
Roger

Steven , I sent a couple case's out for repair and was really surprised at what came back , also make use of the Hamilton research here, there is a ton of info to absorb

Thanks for the responses.
They bring another question to mind : What’s the exposure to a collector who comes innocently to possess a stolen watch? I am guessing that if another party could prove prior ownership, the collector would be out his investment .. following the rule of “ let the buyer (collector) beware”.
Should we worry if we come into the possession of one of those wonderful, desirable Military watches?

Hi Steve , I don't think many look at this section ! Most probably never get past the discussion page, I have heard of watches being recovered , most went through a pawn shop . I would make sure you have pictures and serials written down and stored somewhere safe [bank} The police are powerless unless you can prove ownership . The story I saw , it was not all clear cut even after proving ownership . But the good news is that as much info is out there , serial numbers and data , you would be a fool to try and sell it on the net. I feel safer with watches than coins , I am almost certain the coins came from shady sources , I find it hard to believe a homeless/ or addict man kept his collection , great profit to be had if your willing to be a party in that , my thought is they will steal from you as well as somebody else .

Very likely the watch had a personalization on the back that was taken off crudely at best. Or it could have been a "LOANER" from a watch repairman for a Railroad person. When you took your watch in to be serviced, and were a railrod person, the shop would loan you a RR watch because you had to have one in the course of your duties. All the shops had "loaners", usually engraved on the back "LOANER" and with a number to ID it so that the loaner wouldn't end up in a pawn shop !!

Later when RR's no longer required employees to have a RR watch, these "loaners" became obsolete and perhaps this was one that someone ground that info off, who knows.....

regards,
bb