what is a 21 special?

October 25, 2008, 15:45

James H. Miller

heres another Illinois watch thats not in the book.will someone be nice enough to look it up in there Illinois book?

October 25, 2008, 15:47

James H. Miller

s.n.4094049

October 25, 2008, 16:12

Tom Brown

4093701-4094600 16s Pendant set Open face 21 jewel Model 7 Grade 606

October 25, 2008, 16:25

Lindell V. Riddle

THANKS TOM, WE WERE BOTH ON THE SAME PATH.

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Hello Jim,

It is a rare day that I do not see "something new" in this hobby and today is no exception!

Your number 4094049 appears to be a from a run consisting of 4093701-4094600 which should be 16-size, Pendant-Set, Open-Face, 21-Jewels, Model 7, Grade 606 from 1922 production. According to the late Bill Meggers on page 140 of the Illinois Encyclopedia the Grade 606 came in both 19 and 21-Jewel versions. They came Adjusted 3 Positions and fronted Double-Sunk glass enamel dials.

Production of the Grade 606 began in 1912 at number 2415001 and 4811000 would be the last in 1927 production. Meggers believed there were a mere 530 of the 19-jewel hunters, just over 2,000 19-jewel open face, more than 4,700 of the 21-jewel hunters and nearly 8,000 of the 21-jewel open face examples. He further reports the 606 was a "medium quality grade" and many were "Stewart" private labeled which was a trademark of the Sproehnle Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Someone else may recognize the "21 Special" as it is a new and interesting label to me.

Lindell

October 25, 2008, 16:55

James H. Miller

thanks tom and lindell,
this is the 3rd of this style movement ive gotten in the last 5 weeks.all the same except one says capitol one says 21 special and one is plain.other than that they are all the same.