First Nazi Find?

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Went out tonight after work to recon a new site. Checked out what should have been the front yard of a farm house that shows up on a 1930 aerial photo. Swung the detector and found 3 wheats 1937-1945, no moderns, loads of farm trash and this pressure valve thing. I think it is brass and obviously the Swastika is very unusual, so it went in my keeper pocket.

Definitely need some input on this one. Could it be from a farm implement that was made in Germany in the 30's and imported to PA? From a 30's German automobile? Or a souvenir from a soldier returning from Europe after WW2? Or is it not a Swastika?

Potentially one of my stranger finds. Thx

 

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[against the wind]

The Swastika was a good luck sign long before the Nazis came to power.

 

[Plug N Play]

Gas valves ... look like this was common.

 

[Xraywolf]

Outfits as diverse as coca-cola, the boy scouts and even American military units used the swastika as a good luck symbol well before it was made notorious by the Nazis. General public caught on, and it was used by countless groups.

Doesn't appear to be a factory engraving, probably a home brew etch, and probably pre 1935.
[There are exceptions, but most genuine period Nazi swastikas were "mobile", standing on a tip rather than flat like your example]
They did this precisely to differentiate theirs from the myriad of "good luck" swastikas around the globe, which of course they were well aware of.

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the old valve

 

[CRUSADER]

I forget but the beginnings where somewhere is ancient Greece thousands of years ago.

 

[diggummup]

Definitely nothing to do with the third reich.

 

[SWFLA]

Very interesting information.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Wow, another great history lesson from the University of MDing and Tnet. I knew the swastika was an ancient symbol, but had no idea how prevalent it was in the early 1900's in the US. Thx all!

 

[jewelerguy]

your valve was made by Crane, circa 1920. I've found a water faucet head made by them and marked the same. They didn't use it as a company logo, but as a symbol of luck