Bought this watch on Ebay & just recevied it so nothing has been cleaned up.

There are several reasons I bought it, one that I don't have a Ball Hamilton & the other is the previous owner.

The inside of the Ball case is engraved with the name Cornelius W. Cody, Detective Bureau & then dates & Masonic info. Doing research I found out that Cornelius William Cody was a Chief Inspector for the Cleveland Ohio Police Department & worked there from 1907 to 1935. He was born in 1880 in Ma.

I have located a book with photos of him in it while he was with the CPD, I also found a book about Elliott Ness when he became the director of the Cleveland DPS & Cornelius Cody is mentioned on several pages of the book.

A 3rd reason I bought the watch is I think there is a possibility that since the watch is a Ball watch & their store was located in Cleveland & the watch was presented in Cleveland that perhaps it was bought at the store.

Anyway, it seems like a nice example in my limited knowledge, the bow is extra firm & the dial looks prefect, other than needing cleaning. It also came with a matching chain & pocket knife. It looks to me like this watch was put away & seldom carried.

One last thing, I was able to find out the dates & initials in the watch are for the 3 levels of becoming a Master Mason.

Look forward to any comments, good or bad.

Tom

Back of case

Movement

Case marks

Tom,
Great looking watch, thanks for sharing.
Bill

Tom,
Very interesting piece of history. If you can find the time can you post a picture of the original owner. That would be cool.

Steve

Steve

I have ordered the book & as soon as I get it I will post a photo. Thank you & Bill for the comments. This makes the 2nd such watch I have, I bought an Howard that Chris Abell sold on here that was from a Chief in Tx & since I am a retired cop & I didn't get a watch when I retired I thought I would collect others.

Tom

Good for you!

Can't imagine how these get out of the families!

happy hunting,

Tom:

What an interesting Ball presentation pocket watch, some very interesting history here, I've read quite a bit about Eliot Ness when he came head of Cleveland's crime busters, after he had finished with Al Capone in Chicago.

Larry

Tom,
Nice find, and the history is priceless!

Great watch Tom & it is great that the watch found you and a new home....
Very interesting investigation on your part to locate all the information that you have as well....Great job!

Thanks for sharing your treasure....

Regards,
Jerry

Wonderful Tom. Truly fascinating. Thank you so much for posting it here.

Excellent late 1920's Ball-Hamilton with outstanding provenance.

Here is a photo I found of Inspector Cody, it is dated 08/15/1927. In the center of the photo is the Police Chief & Cody is the 2nd on the right from him.

Tom

Tom that,s a beauty ..

Hi Lindell

So great to have you back on the site, I pray that your health continues to improve.

I was hoping you would comment on this watch since it has the Cleveland connection. Thank you in advance for whatever you have sent me, I can't wait.

From my research it does not appear CW Cody had any children but apparently whoever had been the keeper of this watch felt it was worth saving. My understanding is it was bought at an estate auction in Lancaster, Pa.

Again, nice to hear from you!

Tom

I had a question about this case, one that sold in the used items section was a green gold case;
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...346095371/m/68710704

My question is mine is very similar to that case in design but mine has the white gold 14K gold filled markings. Is the white gold a common case like the 10K yellow or is it harder to come by.

Not sure if my question makes any sense of not.

Tom