🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Found In vicinity of 1770 homestead

[Copper John]

Hello all, from what I understand this log cabin was torn down in 1976. I have permission on the edge of where it used to be and found this item. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

 

[BigWaveDave]

My first guess would be a doorbell? I grew up in a house in MA, there was one on the front door. You crank it, it would ring the bells or chimes inside.

 

[Red-Coat]

Yes, it's a 'turn-bell', or rather the outside plate for one. There was a spindle that went through the door, attached to a mechanically operated bell on the inside. A visitor would turn the handle on the outside and a resident would hear the bell on the inside. Here's a complete one:

Eastlake-style and probably circa 1880-1890

 

[Sandog]

Yes, it's a 'turn-bell', or rather the outside plate for one. There was a spindle that went through the door, attached to a mechanically operated bell on the inside. A visitor would turn the handle on the outside and a resident would hear the bell on the inside. Here's a complete one:

View attachment 2266331
View attachment 2266332

Eastlake-style and probably circa 1880-1890

Looks like the same exact pattern. Salute.