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Hey guys !
As you know I am a HUGE fan of the Shrapnel Guards from the Great War era and this one is VERY special.
I don't believe that one of these has been on this forum..........................that is until now.
This is one of the VERY FIRST "Wrist Watch Protectors" (aka Shrapnel Guards).
It was designed by Charles Adolf Schierwater of Liverpool, England in late 1914. (Thanks Adam)
The American manufacturers did not really begin making them until 1916, just before we entered WWI in 1917.
The American designs in lkater years would be drastically different, they would only cover the face of the watch, not the entire watch case.
This guard was available in 4 sizes, this example being the LARGEST.
Available in Khaki or Nickel finish.
It is BEHEMOTH, the biggest one that I've ever seen ! ! ! ! !
It measures 45mm going across and 37mm top to bottom.
This design envelopes the entire watch case, sort of like a clam shell.
There is a spring loaded hinge on the left side of the guard that keeps it in the closed position at all times.
You simply open the guard and place the watch inside then let the spring close the guard.
The proper name for this guard is "The P.T.O. Wrist Watch Protector"
P.T.O. stands for "Please Turn Over".
As you can see in the advertisement it has 2 positions.
When "ON-DUTY" you turn the guard over to the solid side so the watch face cannot be seen, probably so a sniper can't see the lum on your dial & hands and pick you off.
Then when "OFF-DUTY" you turn the guard back over so the grill side is showing.
The actual watch pictured is a GIANT size 6s Waltham, Seaside grade with 7 jewels and a gilted finish, nearly identical style dial as pictured in the advert.
The case is out of this world as well and quite rare ! ! !
This is a solid nickel size 6s trench watch case with SWIVEL LUGS and a hinged case back made by the Illinois Watch Case Company.
The Illinois case measures 52mm lug t lug, 37mm without the crown with a 14mm lug diameter.
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I'll post a nice WRIST SHOT in about an hour, waiting for the Sun to come up for some good natural light.
As you know I am a HUGE fan of the Shrapnel Guards from the Great War era and this one is VERY special.
I don't believe that one of these has been on this forum..........................that is until now.
This is one of the VERY FIRST "Wrist Watch Protectors" (aka Shrapnel Guards).
It was designed by Charles Adolf Schierwater of Liverpool, England in late 1914. (Thanks Adam)
The American manufacturers did not really begin making them until 1916, just before we entered WWI in 1917.
The American designs in lkater years would be drastically different, they would only cover the face of the watch, not the entire watch case.
This guard was available in 4 sizes, this example being the LARGEST.
Available in Khaki or Nickel finish.
It is BEHEMOTH, the biggest one that I've ever seen ! ! ! ! !
It measures 45mm going across and 37mm top to bottom.
This design envelopes the entire watch case, sort of like a clam shell.
There is a spring loaded hinge on the left side of the guard that keeps it in the closed position at all times.
You simply open the guard and place the watch inside then let the spring close the guard.
The proper name for this guard is "The P.T.O. Wrist Watch Protector"
P.T.O. stands for "Please Turn Over".
As you can see in the advertisement it has 2 positions.
When "ON-DUTY" you turn the guard over to the solid side so the watch face cannot be seen, probably so a sniper can't see the lum on your dial & hands and pick you off.
Then when "OFF-DUTY" you turn the guard back over so the grill side is showing.
The actual watch pictured is a GIANT size 6s Waltham, Seaside grade with 7 jewels and a gilted finish, nearly identical style dial as pictured in the advert.
The case is out of this world as well and quite rare ! ! !
This is a solid nickel size 6s trench watch case with SWIVEL LUGS and a hinged case back made by the Illinois Watch Case Company.
The Illinois case measures 52mm lug t lug, 37mm without the crown with a 14mm lug diameter.
I'll post a nice WRIST SHOT in about an hour, waiting for the Sun to come up for some good natural light.
