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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

George Jackson 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique half hunter pocket watch is attributed by the seller to George Jackson of Glasgow, dating to the late 19th century. The yellow gold case features a central aperture on the front cover encircled by Roman numerals, permitting time reading while closed. Visible through the aperture is an inner dial with two central hands. The source reports that the case is crafted in solid 18-carat gold hallmarked at Birmingham with the maker's mark 'FM' for Fred Manshaw, and houses a three-quarter plate lever escapement movement signed and numbered No. 104.6.

Front view of closed 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch showing chapter ring and central window
Front view of closed 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch showing chapter ring and central window — Bushells Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Jackson
Reference
1707266
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
104.6

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Exterior Presentation

In the provided primary photograph, the pocket watch is shown closed in a polished yellow gold-tone half hunter configuration. The front cover features a central circular aperture permitting partial view of the inner dial and hands, encircled by an outer chapter ring displaying black Roman numerals. At the top of the case at the 12 o'clock position, a matching winding stem, fluted crown, and rounded suspension bow are visible.

The vendor states that the case is constructed from solid 18-carat yellow gold and hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office, bearing the maker's mark 'FM' for Fred Manshaw. Additionally, the seller reports that the outer case back is engraved with an intricate Victorian monogram, likely the intertwined initials 'HR', with an overall diameter of 37 mm and an approximate total weight of 50.7 g.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polished yellow gold-tone half hunter case with a central circular aperture”
  • “Front cover features an outer chapter ring with black Roman numerals”
  • “Winding stem, fluted crown, and rounded suspension bow positioned at 12 o'clock”
  • “The inner case bears the maker’s mark “FM” for Fred Manshaw and is fully hallmarked for 18ct gold at the Birmingham Assay Office .”

Dial and Hands

Visible through the closed aperture are two dark-toned central hands positioned over a plain central dial disc. While the dealer listing describes the outer chapter ring as featuring blue enamel, in the provided photograph under studio lighting it appears golden or translucent.

According to the dealer's text, opening the front cover exposes a white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position. The listing further specifies that the hands are blued steel spade hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Two dark-toned hands visible through the front glass over a plain central dial disc”
  • “The half-hunter front cover is fitted with a blue enamel chapter ring with black Roman numerals”
  • “Opening the case reveals a crisp white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o’clock position”

Reported Movement and Maker Attributions

The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided image. Per the seller's documentation, the watch is fitted with a three-quarter plate lever escapement movement bearing the signature 'George Jackson, Glasgow' alongside the serial number No. 104.6.

The seller dates the watch to the late 19th century (also titled as 1880s), describing it as provincial Scottish watch production housed in an English gold case.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is a three-quarter plate lever escapement , signed “George Jackson, Glasgow” and numbered No. 104.6”
  • “dating to the late 19th century and exemplifying high-quality British watchmaking of the Victorian period.”

Open research questions

  • What specific date letter is struck alongside the Birmingham 18ct hallmark, allowing precise verification beyond the seller's broad late 19th-century / 1880s attribution?
  • Does direct physical examination confirm blue enamel in the front cover chapter ring, which appears metallic/translucent in the primary photograph?
  • Can the monogram on the case back be definitively identified as 'HR' upon direct examination?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Jackson 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Escapement and MovementThree-quarter plate lever escapement“The movement is a three-quarter plate lever escapement”
Movement SignatureGeorge Jackson, Glasgow“signed “George Jackson, Glasgow””
Movement NumberNo. 104.6“numbered No. 104.6”
Case Maker MarkFM (Fred Manshaw)“bears the maker’s mark “FM” for Fred Manshaw”
Case Material and Hallmarks18ct gold, Birmingham Assay Office“fully hallmarked for 18ct gold at the Birmingham Assay Office”
Case MonogramVictorian monogram, likely intertwined initials 'HR'“The polished outer case back is beautifully engraved with a large and intricate Victorian monogram, likely the intertwined initials “HR,””
Case Diameter and Total Weight37 mm, 50.7 g“Approximate Total Weight & Size: 50.7g 37mm”
Hand StyleBlued steel spade hands“complemented by well-preserved blued steel spade hands of deep, even color.”

Visible details

  • Polished yellow gold-tone half hunter case with a central circular aperture
  • Front cover features an outer chapter ring with black Roman numerals
  • Winding stem, fluted crown, and rounded suspension bow positioned at 12 o'clock
  • Two dark-toned hands visible through the front glass over a plain central dial disc

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement, inner dial, and hallmarks are reported by the source but not visible in the front photograph
  • Seller notes a blue enamel chapter ring, though under studio lighting it appears golden/translucent

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Proantic: Rare Antique 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch George Jacks

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3c2e99bd8d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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