Here's a front and back view of the old pocket watch that I mentioned earlier. I haven't researched it yet, but I'm guessing it's from the mid- to late-19th century.

It's shown actual size.

How big is your pocket? That thing is the size of my outspread hand. Is that a pocketwatch in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?:eek2:

It's actual size... on his 37" monitor.

Yeah, it weighs 14 pounds. The good news is that the case is solid gold.

I don't know the significance of the tombstone on the back. Maybe it means that the original owner is now dead.

So, you're serious. This watch is actually 7" across? Yikes. Out of the realm of "pocket" isn't it?

Maybe it's a salesman's sample.

Kind of the opposite of those tiny little beds in department stores, eh? :D

Sorry, sorry, I was mixing it up with this.

lmao...go see my response to that.

That watch is AWESOME!

ain't it though?

The tombstone thing may just be a refeence to the passage of time and our inevitable destination.

A small collection of Kipling published in 1891, in an inexpensive edition, so the bindings are in a rather delicate condition. (Quit that; I bought it used!)

Next oldest is a 1911 .45 automatic, whose serial number dates it to 1917. Long hammer spur that tends to bite my hand on cycling, flat backstrap to the grip, walnut grips with battered grip screws. Dinky little sights. The only new bit in it is the firing pin retaining plate, replacing the original which had broken in half but was still holding the firing pin in place (this small part is just ahead of the hammer, which falls upon it and the tail-end of the firing pin. The broken plate was chewing the hammer up, giving it entirely too much character. The chewed hammer is still soldiering on; the piece is not a collectors' item but a shooter, as it has been reblued and the stamp that should be there on the forward frame reading "Property of U.S. Army" has been ground and polished away. Still got a lot of shots left in the old girl, though.

UG - I'd be interested in seeing a picture of that. I also have an M1911, but I don't know when it was made.

HLJ, look here.

Thanks Bruce.

I'm sitting in the Honda dealership, waiting for my car to be serviced, and I forgot both my humongous watch and my M1911. Fortunately I brought my computer and the dealer has 802.11g.

Well! make that 1918.

an igneous rock

This is not an old, individual item, but I have a few Wuhan China Cymbals, which have been produced in the same way, in the same factory, in Wuhan, China for over 1900 years. . . . These are the kind Neil Peart used, up to his Sabian contract for the Paragon line of signature cymbals.

I have a bunch of old tools that belonged to my grandfathers. And an old penny from the 1880s. But one of the coolest old things I have is this photograph which will be a century old next year. It's my grandmother's baby picture.

'shopped. look at the shadows.

Your grandmother's legs were HUUUUUGE!!

Babby got BACK !!!!!

The oldest thing I have is a record from the 20s I think (Its a 1 sided 78 (Nothing on the other side)) -- The song is AVE MARIA