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USMC Chelsea Clock

Dingo

I have a Chelsea Clock #37134B. It's a USMC clock. It was purchased on May 25, 1938 by the United States Quartermaster Department. I don't have any further information. Would like to know what USMC unit/s it was assigned to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Semper Fi!

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    Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

    This is in response to your inquiry to the National Archives regarding your request for records indicating which USMC unit/s Chelsea clock #37134B was assigned to.

    There is not a body of records that relate serial numbers of equipment to vessels.  While we do not have records on individual pieces of equipment, there are ways to research the company that produced the clock in the records of the Bureau of Ships (Record Group 19) or with the records of the Naval Observatory (Record Group 78).  

     

    This research would utilize the correspondence files of the two bureaus which may contain letters between the company and bureau discussing contracts, problems in productions, improvements to the product, or other business. 

     

    The records of the Bureau of Ships (Record Group 19) are located at the National Archives in College Park, and the correspondence files are arranged using the Navy Filing Manual (1941, 4th Edition).  The company that made the clock will have the filing designation of QM/(Name of Company). 

     

    The Naval Observatory was responsible for the development and procurement of all navigational instruments including clocks and optical equipment. The records of the Naval Observatory (Record Group 78) are located at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC with the Old Military and Civilian Reference Branch.  Their records will also be arranged by the Navy Filing Manual. You can inquire about these records by emailing archives1reference@nara.gov.

    We invite you to continue the conversation with community members on History Hub, but should you have follow up questions for the staff at Archives II, please email us at archives2reference@nara.gov so that we can assist you further. 

    We hope this assists you with your research! 

    Sincerely,

    Cathy Chiarizio

    Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)

    [24-66057], CAC