English Silver full hunter with a rare inscription Birmingham 1880

This is an English silver pocket watch purchased by the Canadian government who awarded such watches to foreign ship officers that rescued Canadian lives at sea – see the inscription below

Movement – the gilt full plate lever movement has a compensated balance and is signed “Saml Buckley & Co, London” # 29005 E. The movement is in 85% mint condition – some old oil stains and marks

Case – the movement comes in an English silver full hunter case, which has a hinged inner, back and front cover. The front cover pops open crisply to 90 degrees when you press the winder in. The case has a small monogram on the front cover, engine turning, coin edged sides and gold hinges. The inner case is engraved with the following inscription;

“Presented by the Government of Canada to M T M Gabrielsen, Chief Officer of the Norwegian Barque Norma in acknowledgement of his humane and gallant exertion in the rescue of the shipwrecked crew of the Mary Lawton of Yarmouth N.S. 3rd February 1882”

The case is in 85% mint condition – there are signs of age related wear but sill in very presentable condition

Dial – the white enamel dial is double sunk. It has a pair of gilt hour and minute hands and a blue steel sub seconds hand. The dial is signed “Saml Buckley & Co, London”. The dial is in 99% mint condition

The watch has is stem wound / pin set

The watch has a mineral glass – this has a few small marks

The watch measures 56mm wide x 18mm deep