Headscratcher ????? Solved-Watch fob/key - Design first made for G.W.

[baspinall]

Not sure what this thing is? The outside loop swivels as does the little ring at top?? It's actually quite heavy. The very tip of the center piece seems to have a small hole in it, like it once held something. The center piece also looks like it held something.
Found at a homestead dating back to the mid 1700's.

Brian

 

[creskol]

Re: Headscratcher ??

For some reason, your piece reminds me a lot of a small inside draw plane in my tool collection.
Don't know if that is what it is or not, but thought I would throw it out for discussion.
Neat item and good luck on the ID!

 

[relic lover]

Re: Headscratcher ??

I think it is a swinger.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

For some reason, your piece reminds me a lot of a small inside draw plane in my tool collection.
Don't know if that is what it is or not, but thought I would throw it out for discussion.
Neat item and good luck on the ID!

I have that same plane. You know its a box scraper to remove the name on wood shipping boxes to ship again.

 

[creskol]

Re: Headscratcher ??

For some reason, your piece reminds me a lot of a small inside draw plane in my tool collection.
Don't know if that is what it is or not, but thought I would throw it out for discussion.
Neat item and good luck on the ID!

I have that same plane. You know its a box scraper to remove the name on wood shipping boxes to ship again.

Ah ,.. Thanks! I may have known that at one time, but I have long since forgotten. Thanks for the refresher!

 

[baspinall]

Re: Headscratcher ??

This thing is dainty. Wouldn't take much at all to break it. Also there isn't any threaded end. All the spinners seem to thread into a base of some sorts. My first thought was jewelry. Maybe hung around a chain?

 

[baspinall]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Here is another one?

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,276501.msg1971482.html#msg1971482


Brian

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Here is another one?

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,276501.msg1971482.html#msg1971482


Brian

OMG I think it is. Yours is missing the center piece. Maybe Bob can give us a better pic.

 

[FortBedfordbob]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Here is another one?

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,276501.msg1971482.html#msg1971482


Brian

OMG I think it is. Yours is missing the center piece. Maybe Bob can give us a better pic.

Hi , It's 3:45 am here. I'm going to Harrisburg Pa this morning for some training by Minelab. When I get home this evening I'll hunt this thing up and gets some pics. I'm sure it's the same thing. HH Bob

 

[johnnyi]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Although it seems fairly large, it could possibly be a fob type watch key.

 

[baspinall]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Although it seems fairly large, it could possibly be a fob type watch key.

I think you are right, watch fob & key

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Although it seems fairly large, it could possibly be a fob type watch key.

I think you are right, watch fob & key

Maybe but Bobs doesnt look as if it has a key end.

 

[johnnyi]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Baspinal, I've been trying to find the exact key for you, as the one I pictured the other day was only similar in general shape.

Here is a great article on your key, which also gives you a direct contct with the author. As you'll see, it is believed this key was modeled after a key designed by Jean Antone Lepine which was believed to have been given to George Washington in 1787. Your's is larger, and it does not bear a hallmark. This suggests to the author it is probably made in America, and is possibly Dutch.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...?q=watchkey&ndsp=21&hl=en&sa=N&start=210&um=1

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Baspinal, I've been trying to find the exact key for you, as the one I pictured the other day was only similar in general shape.

Here is a great article on your key, which also gives you a direct contct with the author. As you'll see, it is believed this key was modeled after a key designed by Jean Antone Lepine which was believed to have been given to George Washington in 1787. Your's is larger, and it does not bear a hallmark. This suggests to the author it is probably made in America, and is possibly Dutch.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...?q=watchkey&ndsp=21&hl=en&sa=N&start=210&um=1

Wow great ID and Im thinking a banner find!

If TN would give awards for taking the time to research and making a great ID, you johnnyi deserve a trophy for this one!! You are fairly new here, but without people like you and many others for years volunteering time to research, items like these would remain unknown and possibly in the junk box. Green check.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

I think Bedfordbobs find is a colonial pendant. It describes it in the link. I vote put the two together in a combination banner find. 8)

 

[johnnyi]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Actually Brian's particular fiind is the watch key, as the key mount is cearly visible. The iron extention on watch keys is the most fragile part, and almost always we find it broken off at the joint as it is here. I agree, this is a most interesting find, as is any find is when you can include the name "George Washington" even peripherally in it's history! Hopefully Brian will report his find to "Smith's" to be included in a future article.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Actually Brian's particular fiind is the watch key, as the key mount is cearly visible.

How can you be sure the picture is so small? Did you read your link where they describe a look-a-like pendant? or are you suggesting the link is incorrect?

 

[johnnyi]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Cy, I found the link, of course I read it. The pendant is on the right. It was made without the key extension. The lack of a key extension is very clearly visible. The keys are the other examples pictured. they all have the key extension. These extensions are also clearly visible.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Headscratcher ??

Cy, I found the link, of course I read it. The pendant is on the right. It was made without the key extension. The lack of a key extension is very clearly visible. The keys are the other examples pictured. they all have the key extension. These extensions are also clearly visible.

Now you are flip flopping or I misunderstand?

 

[johnnyi]

Re: Headscratcher ??

"Now you are flip flopping or I misunderstand?"

Cy, I don't understand what this atatement means? Let me be clearer. The image in the link which is to the right shows no key extension. it is the pendant. In fact there there is no casting base for a key extension on the pendant so it is unmistakable.

The other images in the link are the keys, and they show the key extensions. They too cannot be mistaken for anything but keys.

Brian's example is the key, and clerarly matches those in the link with key extensions. Hoipe that clears it up for you?