Pocket Watch Database

H. Muhrs Sons

Philadelphia, Pennsylvaia

H. Muhrs Sons Image

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvaia

Years of Operation: c.1882 - 1898

Predecessor: Michael H. Cronin

Successor: Philadelphia Watch Case Co.

The Muhr company existed long before it started producing watch cases (rings, thimbles, etc). The company purchased the tools and machinery from Michael H. Conin at a sheriff sale in 1882. Absorbed by the Philadelphia Watch Case Company.

Identification: Muhr cases are often marked with a symbolic emblem accompanied by the word "Warranted." Serial numbers were marked in either a straight line under the primary mark or in a reversed-arch layout, characterized by larger long-serif digits. Each digits is often stamped in a haphazard manner, slightly skewed from one another. The back rim was typically marked with the three digits on each side of the hinge or center, in the same long-serif style, matching the primary serial number. On some open face cases, however, case centers are marked around the outer perimeter of the rim with large gaps between each digit. This practice usually allowed for the full serial number to be stamped on the case center (back), matching the primary serial number. Some silverode cases are found with the full serial number stamped around the rim without the large gaps present on other cases.

The T. Zurbrugg & Co. (Philadelphia Watch Case Co.) purchased the Muhr factory in 1898 and started associating with Philadelphia name with Muhr's established grades around 1900. For this reason, cases that do not feature the name "Philadelphia Watch Case Company" (with the buckle emblem) can safely be attributed to the Muhr case operation (or during the transitional period). Some cases have been found to be marked primarily with a known Muhr mark and later marked underneath with the Philadelphia Watch Case Company trade mark. No cases have been found that are explicitly marked with the Muhr company name, so symbols and other stylistic identifiers must be used for proper attribution.

The original Muhr company was founded by Henry Muhr in 1853. In 1865, Henry's son, Simon, joined the company and the name was changed to H. Muhr & Son. When Henry retired in 1873, Simon's brothers, Jacob and Joseph, joined the firm. At this time, the company name was changed to H. Muhrs Sons.

The Muhr case factory was purchased in March 1898 by T. Zurbrugg & Co. for $25,000. A notice "To the Trade" published in April issues of The Jewelers' Circular indicated that T. Zurbrugg & Co. would continue manufacturing the grades established by the Muhr companies (H. Muhrs Sons, J. Muhr & Bro., etc) at the same factory while production would continue at the Philadelphia Watch Case Company in Riverside for their silver filled, electro-plate, and nickel cases. The "Muhr" grades described in the notice were: Crown 14K Gold-Filled (25 Years), Lion 10K Gold-Filled (20 Years), Victory Rolled Gold Plate (10 Years), Premier Rolled Gold Plate (5 Years), and Solid Silver (with a Crown emblem).

H. Muhrs Sons technically dissolved March 31, 1888 when Joseph Muhr withdrew from the company. At this time, the company was reorganized under the control of Simon and Jacob Muhr. Joseph Muhr created his own company selling rings, lockets, and buttons. After an illness and being committed to an asylum, Joseph died in February 1892.
Henry Muhr, the original founder of the company, died in November 1892.

In 1889, the Willemin Watch Case Company was purchased by H. Muhrs Sons and considated into the Philadelphia factory.

In October 1894, shortly after the company was dissolved, the factory was offered for the sale in the classified section of The Jewelers Weekly and Horological Review. At this time, Jacob and Philip Muhr formed J. Muhr & Bro. to continue the manufacturing of watch cases. In February 1895, Simon Muhr died from pneumonia. Shortly after Simon's death, the original H. Muhrs Sons company was completely liquidated. However, the company was reorganized as a retail outlet while J. Muhr & Bro. continued to manufacture watch cases.

In 1897, J. Muhr & Bro. was dissolved, and the business was continued by Jacob Muhr as sole owner.

The ever-changing ownership creates a challenge in classifying the cases produced by the Muhr companies during different eras. For the purpose of organization, the database houses the relevant grades and information for J. Muhr & Bro. and Jacob Muhr under "H. Muhrs Sons." Cases produced between 1895-1898 were manufactured under the direction of Jacob Muhr's company.

Shortly after the Muhr factory was purchased by Mr. Zurbrugg in 1898, the trademarks began to be utilized in association with the Philadelphia Watch Case Company name - probably around 1900. This was the begining of Zurbrugg's quest to establish a trust by acquiring watch factories and case manufacturers.

The retail operation of H. Muhrs Sons was liquidated and closed in 1904.

Case Grades

Note: This chart is not intended to be a comprehensive list of grades. Some grades changed traits over time and other grades may not be listed. This chart will be improved as additional information is studied.

Image Name Case Material Gold Content Gurantee Source Catalogs Trademarked
Acorn Gold 10K 1886HMS, 1888OY, 1888BA
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Climax: Climax Gold-Filled 1889EVR Feb 7, 1905
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Coin Silver: Crown Warranted Coin Silver Coin Silver Coin Silver 1897BB
Crown 14K/20YR Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1882SFM, 1883UNK, 1886HMS, 1887BHIA, 1890BA, 1892WES, 1892BAC, 1892ACR, 1893BHIA, 1893BFNA, 1894NRC, 1894BA, 1895OY, 1896OY Nov 13, 1900
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Crown A No 1: Crown Warranted Crown A No 1 Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1883GHR, 1887LAM, 1888OY, 1888BA, 1891SAC, 1893SAC, 1897BB, 1898MLMF, 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Crown B II: Crown B II Warranted Crown B II Gold-Filled 14K 20-Year 1890AP
Crown Climax Gold-Filled 1890AP
Crown Silver Silver 1895OY, 1896OY Nov 13, 1900
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Eureka: Eureka Rolled Gold Plate 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Excelsior: Excelsior in Flag Warranted Excelsior Waranted Excelsior Gold-Filled 12K 20-Year 1886HMS, 1887LAM, 1887BHIA, 1888OY, 1888BA, 1889EVR, 1890AP
Excelsior Climax Gold-Filled 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Lion: Lion Warranted 14K Lion Gold-Filled 10-Year 1886HMS, 1887LAM, 1887BHIA, 1888OY, 1888BA, 1889EVR, 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Lion: Lion Warranted 14K Lion Gold-Filled 10K 15-Year 1895OY, 1897BB
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Lioness: Lioness Gold-Filled
Muhr Eagle Seamless 1890AP
Phoenix Rolled Gold Plate 1890AP
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Premier: Premier Rolled Gold Plate 5-Years
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Silverode: Silverode Nickel Alloy 1892BAC, 1894BA, 1897BB
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Trenton: Trenton Gold-Filled
Watch Case Marking for H. Muhrs Sons Victory: Victory Rolled Gold Plate 5-Years 1893BHIA, 1895OY, 1897BB

Company Case Trademarks & Hallmarks