collapsible drinking cup maybe?

[silverswede]

Dug at an old camping site by a mountain stream. At first I though an old clock spring but after washing in the stream the five rings separated and when placed back together and lifted by the largest (2 1/2" dia.) it becomes a stainless steel drinking cup about 2 1/2 " tall. The outside of bottom is stamped PATD FEB 28 97 MADE IN USA. The site also yeilded a 43' and 44' Merc dimes but could have been much older. Any guesses or knowledge of history of this product?

 

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[jglunt]

It is as you say a collapsible drinking cup used by campers and scouts for decades and decades. They were manufactured by many different companies with the older ones being metal and the newer ones of plastic and even paper.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It is as you say a collapsible drinking cup used by campers and scouts for decades and decades. They were manufactured by many different companies with the older ones being metal and the newer ones of plastic and even paper.

That's what it is. I would think that the patent date Feb 28 97 would be 1897. They don't write patents that way with month anymore. I would say manufactured from 1897- 1907. The Patd dates staying for 10 years. There is a way of checking the old patent records. Also, are you sure it is Stainless?

 

[silverswede]

Thanks for the input bigcypress. Those dates 1897 - 1907 could be quite close to right as the history of this area show a boom in prospecting and mining during those years. I just guessed stainless steel although it could be some kind of plated tin. It shows more tarnish and corrosion than rust. It is pretty well preserved for about 100 years in this soil. Thanks, too jglunt for your good info.