" brass star or spur or badge or pin or ???????"

[tinpan]

HI all, I found this brass star this afternoon, i,m not quite sure what the relic is.The item is about the same size as a standing lib [us] and is press brass.It is quite thick for a pressed item and has a bit of weight for its size. The edges are quite sharp and so are the points.I known its not a saddle decoration.Opinions please.

                          t.p "Or a crazy ninja's weapon " lol

[Harry_Morant]

For a first WAG - it may originate from a fire service as the 8 pointed star can be traced back to the UK National Fire Brigades Association in 1887. Apparently the eight points are believed to represent the virtues of tact, perseverance, gallantry, loyalty, dexterity, explicitness, observation and sympathy - virtues held by firefighters.

It apparently originated from the eight pointed cross of St John (the maltese cross).

Or it could be not related at all......

[Montana Jim]

My WAG is spur... nothing else makes sense if it's pointy and sharp with a big hole in the middle...

I can't see hanging a dangerous badge on your uniform, or carrying it in your pocket

[Angelo]

For now I'm hanging on to MONTANA JIM'S Coattails and will agree as being a Spur Wheel

While searching I found that many spurs have the 8 point spikes.

Found one that has the 3D star.

Only thing I can't figure out on the one posted by TINPAN has no wear around the hole, and I would think that it should since it would spin.

Unless the cowboy lost it on his first day of wearing them. In which case we need look for a pissedoff cowboy on a horse running in circles.

[dg39]

Are both sides alike?
DG

[Montana Jim]

Are both sides alike?
DG

Yikes! Good question!

[dg39]

If on only one side it could be a decorative finial for a ceiling fixture or tile or a number of other things.
DG

[relic lover]

hows about a photo of the edge and back please?

[MD Dog]

Definitely not a spur, Spurs use the tips to prod the animal not injure them as this defice would definitely do. I'm thinking of a tool my Gamma used to use for cutting the extra pie doe off the edges of a pie leaving a dimpled effect. But the that's just my opinion and I offer it free of charge.

[Minelab Ron]

Ok...here's a link on Spurs....>>>> http://www.oldspurs.com/index.htm (and this one) >>>> http://www.cowboygear.com/spurs.html

Here's a link to Pastry Cutters....>>>> http://www.fantes.com/pasta_cutters.htm (and this one) >>>>
http://www.bakedeco.com/static/list/...try-wheels.htm

Hope these links help some....

Good Luck!
HH, Annmarie

[MD Dog]

Good links Ron and Ann, Did you notice that the spurs all have points but not have bladelike edges between the Points while the pastry and pasta cutters do ? Although these are all relatively new pasta and pastry cutters I think their design has probably not changed much from Gammas day.

[Minelab Ron]

Good links Ron and Ann, Did you notice that the spurs all have points but not have bladelike edges between the Points while the pastry and pasta cutters do ? Although these are all relatively new pasta and pastry cutters I think their design has probably not changed much from Gammas day.

I noticed that, that is why I posted both for spurs and pastry cutters....even though there were two spurs (gallery 5 and can't remember the other gallery of photos # from the first spur link) that kinda looked like what they posted...

but I have to go with a pastry cutter myself! No, pastry cutters are still pretty much the same as when my grandma used them too!

HH, Annmarie

[Jeff G]

Saddle or harness decoration would be a good bet too...

[tinpan]

Hi all by request, reverse side.This star is pressed brass and is way too thick to be a saddle or harness decoration.The pic shows the points of the star are bent down -wards so a pastery -cutter not.The item id on sided and has a beveled line in it to make a little ornate.

t.p

[DCMatt]

Just to take this thread in a different direction... I like what Harry said. The eight points may be significant.

Spurs and dough cutters seem to have lots of points. Other badges and pins have 5 or 6 pointed stars.

The star of The Order of the Garter has 8 points... Others?

DCMatt

[MD Dog]

Ok if you don't like doe cutter then how about a belt buckle or used oriental throwing star, the bending indicating the use. Or maybe a star of Bethlehem decoration which allowed a little lite to be placed into the center? Just givin everyone somethin to work with here.

[Charlie P. (NY)]

At my last house we had a ceiling light with eight panels (similar to the one pictured above) and there was a washer shaped like that with a little brass ball shaped nut to hold it up to the fixture. Had to unscrew it to change the bulbs. I remember because I swore at it any number of times trying to get the globe, felt washer, metal washer (that part) and nut in place around the hanging bolt and back together.

[dg39]

If on only one side it could be a decorative finial for a ceiling fixture or tile or a number of other things.
DG

Probably a ceiling decoration from the looks of it.
DG

[Functional]

Part of a candle holder? Part of a christmas tree decoration?

F.