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Posted

I have a disassembled about half a dozen Elgin 12s pocket watches, grades 301 303, class 113 114 and so far all of the pallet forks have had the same look except for the one that I'm currently working on.

pallet_forks.thumb.png.5b5a10905fe8d37bfa08ffb23af27ccc.png

The fork on the left was found in Elgin S/N 12247427 which is a grade 301, class 113, model 2, year ~1905

The fork on the right is typical of what I've seen in these, this one happens to be from S/N 13148150, grade 301, class 113, model 2

The Elgin 1915 catalog has an image of this (either being p/n 2971 or 2589) which looks more like what I've typically seen.

http://elginwatches.org/scans/tech_doc/1915_MC/l_pg070_pallets_forks.html

elgincatp70.png.96319815968ea842cdb8b33904685335.png

To the Elgin 12s experts out there: Is this a valid part to be found in this model?  Thank you.

Posted

That is interesting.

My first reaction was that the 'unusual' fork must be like that as an alternative design to the more normal banking pins (or solid banking restrictors) found on most movements. The fork effectively limits its own movement by those 'horns'.

Now note:
Elgin 12 example 1: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113996790585

Elgin 12 example 2: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113996887055

These are both described as Elgin 12s movements grade 315, model 3, class 114. But in a similar situation to yours note the different fork designs.

My take would be that there was a redesign at some stage and perhaps inevitably with older watches then things might have been swapped from a donor etc. I am certainly no Elgin expert though! Based on my opening paragraph is there an observed correlation with banking pins?

Posted

Thank you. The ebay link that shows the "unusual" pallet fork somewhat quells my concerns -- at least it's an Elgin part.  The train was free and it ticked a bit before I torn it down for cleaning, so all it probably well.  

Here are the two forks in context with the escape wheel:

IMG_3036.thumb.png.af4e3069145261ef8782432a77224647.png

 

IMG_3038.png.8c72637388841f7ec18fceb6df69c22c.png

 

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