The Deere & Mansur Company was located in Moline, Illinois, around the turn of the 19th century. The company made many innovations in the corn planting field, eventually developing one of the most innovative and successful corn planters of the time, the No. 999 Edge Drop Planter. Deere & Mansur Co. was absorbed into Deere & Company in 1911. This watch was a presentation gift to a B. F. Avery by the Deere & Mansur Company. Byron F. Avery appears to have been a long time employee of the company and may have played baseball for the factory team as well as for the Moline Regulars, his name showing up in the papers often as playing first base and pitching. He was also foreman of the shipping department at Deere & Mansur where in September of 1906 he had a box dropped on his hand which led to the amputation of one of his fingers. In 1909 Avery was elected President of the Deere & Mansur Company Employees Aid Association. Avery died in 1935, so it can be assumed this watch was presented to him upon retirement in 1929 after many years of loyal service to the company. The "HAMILTON" marked dial shows black enamel Arabic hour markers with small bright dots marking the minutes. The 17 jewel movement is marked "HAMILTON/WATCH CO./LANCASTER, PA." and numbered "3347605". The exterior of the dust cover bears the presentation message from Deere & Mansur Company to Avery on August 1, 1929. The interior of the back door of the case is marked "KEYSTONE/14K/10905" along with Keystone Co. logo and Hamilton Watch Company markings. Includes a Hamilton Watch Company case that is labeled for a different watch.

Very fine overall, with a few light scratches and handling marks. Case is excellent. Needs minor work on the mechanism.