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Elgin Grade 291 - WWII OFFICIALLY ISSUED TIMEPIECE TO BRITISH COMMONWEALTH
For your consideration; A piece of history and government military property:
My research confirms that this timepiece was commissioned and delivered to the South African Military.A \"U\" with a broad arrow (upward-pointing arrowhead) inside it means the item was the property of theBritish Commonwealth Military Forces (South Africa was a member andthe \"U\" stands for the Union of South Africa).The broad arrow was a traditional British government mark used to show state and military ownership. This specific U-with-arrow mark appeared from 1910-1961 for the Union of South Africa and was used extensively through World War II on rifles, equipment, and military gear.
MK II watches, G.S. (General Service) were formally described as: \"Keyless, with leather thong: strong lever, 3/4 or full plate type, in metal case, with strong crystal glass, fully luminous\". The \'A\' stands for Army and the following number is an inventory designation assigned to the soldier who possessed it. The markings on the dust cover are to ensure that the correct movement type and case were put together and that they met specific military requirements.Many WWII Elgin contract cases were built as \"three-piece\" snap cases rather than screw-offs to speed up factory assembly during the war (this example being one of them). Even with the aim to speed up production, this piece still holds beautifully damascened plates on the movement.
The South African Army and Air Force served in the North and East African Theatre, Italy (especially bombing runs conducted using convertedJunkers Ju 86s), the liberation of Malagasy (Madagascar), and at home in South Africa (home to the Cape of Good Hope) as a critical supply line to the war effort throughout Africa, Europe and Asia.
Movement Serial # 40463034
Runs and keeps good time.
*Please note that the watch has radium painted arabic numerals and hands. Handle accordingly.
