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[Crowsnest6]

Can anyone tell me what this is and if it's old?
Thanks so much!!
CC

 

[wkrp43]

Looks like a hem weight. Used to be sewn into dresses. Welcome to tnet.

 

[wkrp43]

How big is it?

 

[Crowsnest6]

Thank you and hope this helps with the size question.

 

[wkrp43]

I'm no expert, but I think that's what it is. Hit that site again.

 

[DCMatt]

I'm no expert, but I think that's what it is. Hit that site again.

Correct. Hem weight. Used in dresses, coats, curtains... Used for many years. Possibly mid 19th to mid 20th C.

DCMatt

 

[Ant]

They came in sowing kits and with some machines up into the 70'"s, they were very common around the home.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

They have been around since at least the Civil War era used as curtain and coat weights. How to tell if yours is old? My theory is to look for a mold injection mark on a modern one because they are still made today.
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[fyrffytr1]

I don't think I have ever seen one with a rolled edge like yours. Maybe done after manufacturing.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Because lead is soft, I assumed it was flattened on the edges after manufacturing. Here are some examples of a modern curtain weight. They have numberes on them and a mold injection mark should be visible on the backside. Drapery Supply Products

 

[fyrffytr1]

The OP's has a number 4 on it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The OP's has a number 4 on it.

Im not certain that the number means modern but I would think that if it was 19th century, it would have serifs.

 

[sutphin]

OLE HEMMING WEIGHT . WELCOME THAR NEW MEMBER TO TNET.