Elgin National Watch Co. was the largest manufacturer of pocket watches in the United States and were in operation from 1864 to 1968. It appears very likely that this piece was originally manufactured as a standard pocket watch and later modified to its current form of concealable single shot pistol. The "Sun-Dial" trade name appears to have been used on certain watches made by Elgin during the 1890s. The watch itself has a white enameled porcelain face with black Roman numerals, "Sun-Dial" marked at the center, and is in a plain nickeled case. The movement of the watch appears to have been replaced with the pistol internals which are primarily brass. To operate the pistol the barrel is unscrewed, a percussion cap placed on the breech, barrel screwed back in, 4.5 mm ball placed in the barrel, stem pulled back and trigger pressed forward at the same time, and then trigger pulled to fire. A note from the consignor states that the pistol is 4.5 mm (.177 cal) and can use No. 11 percussion caps. Includes a leatherette case.

Very fine as custom modified to percussion pistol form, the case of the watch retains 98% of the nickel finish with a small chip absent from the edge of the face lid and the intentionally added ports for the barrel and trigger. The case is fine with some light wear and a moderate scuff on the bottom. Mechanically it appears to be in working.