General Service Time Piece?

[Simon]

I wonder what the thinking was behind the issue of a pocket watch as oppose to a wrist watch?

The only thing that immediately springs to mind for me is that a sniper could very easily avoid excessive movement when in a "lay up" as a pocket watch could be positioned line of sight rather than having to adjust position to view a wrist watch. Thinking about logically it would make sense for the sniper to have been issued both the pocket watch and a wrist watch at that period would it not?

[Terrylee]

According to Z.M Wesolowski's book, A Consice Guide to Military Timepieces, the watches marked G S T P were a temporary pattern which were "hurredly purchased" from various suppliers "when war loomed once more in 1939".

The earlier standard pattern general service Rolex watch of about 1935 was stamped G.S. MkII.

I attach a photo of both from my collection.

Attachment 65507

[Peter Laidler]

So we did have Rolex's - or was that just SA? I never saw a military issue pocket watch in my time. The nearest was the old SMITHS stop-watch. Probably other makes as well...

[henry r]

why were watches used by snipers?

was it to co-ordinate with attacks (as per artillery barrages) or some other reason/s?

thanks.

[Simon]

henry r,

Don't forget that the elimination of high value targets and disruption of the command and control structure etc is only a small part of a snipers role. Probably the largest percentage is observation for which a timepiece is essential to note comings and goings and establish if there is any sort of behavioural pattern or the like.

Cheers,

Simon.

[henry r]

thanks simon.

does anyone know anything about this type of case?

original?
uses?

Attachment 65508

Attachment 65509

thanks.

[gsimmons]

It's looks like one of the many commercial protective cases available at the time.
The British government bought many Elgin pocket watches during both world wars. Remember too, at the time the pocket watch was still the standard, wrist watches were still relatively new and in short supply.
The large dial is also easier and faster to read.

[mike1967]

I was going to bid on that. I went for a haircut instead.

[henry r]

ssshhhh! i haven't told my wife yet.

Attachment 65510

[gsimmons]

The watch can be dated by the serial number on the movement.