I think it's silver...

[Digalotajunk]

Found my most complete pockt watch today. It shines like silver, but im not seeing a makers mark.

 

[azdirtdigger]

Marks would be on the inside of that back case most likely. If I had to guess, just based on the picture, I would say it isn't silver. Hope I'm wrong! Still a nice find.

 

[sgtled3533]

Looks plated or silver washed. Doesn't look like a sterling piece to me. But I also hope I'm wrong...maybe it's just very dirty 🤔

 

[Digalotajunk]

Looks plated or silver washed. Doesn't look like a sterling piece to me. But I also hope I'm wrong...maybe it's just very dirty 🤔

it is definitely plated/washed, if it's silver at all. Aluminum would be the only other thing i can think of that could be in the ground that long and still be that shiney. Either way, it feels like it could fall apart if i cleaned it...

 

[Truth]

Not silver but still a great find. I’m still looking for my first pocket watch. Congratulations

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Not silver. PM test kits are very inexpensive to erase doubts in the future.

 

[Digalotajunk]

Y'all are definite about it, how can you tell from just looking? Tryin to get educated, and to know what you are seeing, for future finds.

 

[against the wind]

I don't think it will hurt the watch by taking the guts out of the case so that you can examine the inside of the watch cover. If it is 1880's or older, it should be engraved "Coin Silver" ( 90% Silver). Congrats on the find.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Y'all are definite about it, how can you tell from just looking? Tryin to get educated, and to know what you are seeing, for future finds.

If it was silver, it would be smooth, no pops or rusty spots. Can be tarnished dark grey or black with just some silver spots. Those rusty spots are a clear indicator of plating.

Good luck to you sir. I like the way you think!

 

[Digalotajunk]

If it was silver, it would be smooth, no pops or rusty spots. Can be tarnished dark grey or black with just some silver spots. Those rusty spots are a clear indicator of plating.

Good luck to you sir. I like the way you think!

Thank you, and everyone for the input! I think it looked something like this one (mine is missing the bow.)

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Silver or not, still a nice find!

 

[Digalotajunk]

Cleaned this up today. In addition to cleaning up nicely. I found some writing on the inside of the flip cover. Including roman numeral 20, initials, and what looks to be a date 5/27/28.

 

[sutphin]

PLACE IT AGAINST A ICE CUBE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IF SILVER ,IT WILL MELT THE ICE CUBE. NICE FIND