A Mystery Staff on a Grade 239 Elgin, Vertas Model

The first thing in changing the balance staff is to remove the hairspring. When I did that though, the old staff just dropped right off the balance, it had never been attached! Well that saves me a step. Luckily I did not have much trouble getting the roller table off.

In these images the old staff is at the top, the correct replacement is below. The hair spring collet is badly over stretch, open, to fit over the larger staff. I'm amazed that the collet isn't broken.

This roller table has a larger opening than the replacement staff needs. I'll have to use a different one.

Old hairspring (with the stretched collet) and roller table on the right, new on the left.

Riveting the replacement staff...

The watch is a grade 239, Veritas, made about 1904.