✅ SOLVED Anybody have any ideas what this item might be? (Civil War Era I Think)

[Mud Hut]

Trying to help a friend ID this..any thoughts?
13/8 inches by 21/8 inches
Made out of pewter, he thinks.

 

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[Iron Patch]

Interesting, and maybe the center piece of some type of buckle. Someone should know the answer.

Judging by the looks it appears to be stamped brass and not pewter.

 

[Mud Hut]

Interesting, and maybe the center piece of some type of buckle. Someone should know the answer.

Judging by the looks it appears to be stamped brass and not pewter.

That's a great suggestion, IP ~ I'll bet that's what it is. I will certainly follow up on that idea. Thanks!

 

[masterjedi]

It looks to me as if it was gold plated...

 

[johnnyi]

Very neat find. I agree it is stamped brass, and may be the top portion of a lid to a cap box (cap and ball) ?


p.s. the fifteen stars in the design would have placed it around War of 1812 period or earlier, as might the serpent neck eagle

 

[Mud Hut]

Thanks all for your thoughts . I think, too, that it is probably brass.

 

[jwarner51]

I would say it is indeed military related.

 

[johnnyi]

I checked Kerksis last night, and though admittedly incomplete as virtually every known source is, there is not an example of this object. I still think it's a top to a small tin where the skirt has fallen away at the solder joint. Carefully looking at the reverse you'll see spots where it is rough; as well, the die that made it stamped down the outer-most perimeter of the piece on the reverse (which may acccomodate a skirt) which is the opposite proceedure you'd see if this was a mounted plate encompassed by a backing. It would be too early (15 stars) for percussion caps, but it could have held a number of other things for rifle or pistol, or even cheap snuff maybe. It's a very cool find, that's certain.

 

[Mud Hut]

I checked Kerksis last night, and though admittedly incomplete as virtually every known source is, there is not an example of this object. I still think it's a top to a small tin where the skirt has fallen away at the solder joint. Carefully looking at the reverse you'll see spots where it is rough; as well, the die that made it stamped down the outer-most perimeter of the piece on the reverse (which may acccomodate a skirt) which is the opposite proceedure you'd see if this was a mounted plate encompassed by a backing. It would be too early (15 stars) for percussion caps, but it could have held a number of other things for rifle or pistol, or even cheap snuff maybe. It's a very cool find, that's certain.

Thanks Johnnyi ! I hope to go get more photos soon and maybe I can get more information as well.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Is it my eyes or is this thing concave? And, is that a pouch attached to the beginning of the banner at the top? Also, I count 15 stars. Is there any significance to that number? One more thing I just noticed; the motto reads "Pluribus Unum" The "E" is missing. I bring all of this up in hopes it will lead to an identification.

 

[Mud Hut]

Is it my eyes or is this thing concave? And, is that a pouch attached to the beginning of the banner at the top? Also, I count 15 stars. Is there any significance to that number? One more thing I just noticed; the motto reads "Pluribus Unum" The "E" is missing. I bring all of this up in hopes it will lead to an identification.

I will let you know soon.

 

[Mud Hut]

Here is a better photograph. It is brass, it is slightly concave, although I don't think it's by design. It does say E Pluribus Unum , although the E is worn a bit.

 

[fyrffytr1]

OK. I can see clearly now. What I thought was a pouch is part of the banner. This is a very interesting piece and I hope you get a proper ID on it. However, I have nothing more to add. It has me stumped.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I don't know if this has any bearing on your piece but a little research revealed the following in regards to the American flag:

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
  [*] Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.[/FONT]

 

[duggap]

any chance it is one of these?http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/431415-lion-face-buckle.html

 

[Mud Hut]

OK. I can see clearly now. What I thought was a pouch is part of the banner. This is a very interesting piece and I hope you get a proper ID on it. However, I have nothing more to add. It has me stumped.

Has me stumped. too! Thanks for your thoughts and efforts!

 

[johnnyi]

Inner fragment of this... (early Federal) http://www.fvstore.com/i/2/Rare-Fed...-Set-of-8-Key-Hole-E-Plubirus-Unum-p11928.jpg

 

[Mud Hut]

Inner fragment of this... (early Federal) http://www.fvstore.com/i/2/Rare-Fed...-Set-of-8-Key-Hole-E-Plubirus-Unum-p11928.jpg

By golly John .. I think you nailed it! Good Job!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Congrats on getting your piece IDed. And kudos to Johnnyi for doing it. I have a small request and that is; could link to the site this came from be posted? I tried going to fvstore.com but couldn't find this piece.

 

[Mud Hut]

Congrats on getting your piece IDed. And kudos to Johnnyi for doing it. I have a small request and that is; could link to the site this came from be posted? I tried going to fvstore.com but couldn't find this piece.

Rare Federal Brass Drawer Pulls Bald Eagle Set of 8 + Key Hole E Plubirus Unum ,Montclair, NJ, United States,FVStore.com