Just clad and a ..........snake?

WHADIFIND · Oct 14, 2015

Tried another park today. Nice day! Not much finds though. :dontknow:

Notice how far back Blingie & Fishy are?

I thought this was just an "S" hook. But, after
looking a little closer, I do believe that is a snake of some sort.

The little spot of rust appears to be a link, like from a chain.
The rest of it is non-magnetic.

See? Even on a day like this, I still found something interesting. LOL

Thanks for peeking!

OWK · Oct 18, 2015

WHADIFIND said:
First thing I thought off was "Don't Tread On Me". Maybe that old?

Pleasant thought.

But the tradition of snake buckles (looking very much like this one) go back even further yet... to at least 16th century England.

I will do a little more poking around when I have time.

WHADIFIND · Oct 18, 2015

Msbeepbeep said:
That's the best kind of snake to find! Congrats!

Yes ma'am! They are something I stay VERY far away from :exclamation:

Anyway, for anyone who was wondering, I did go back and do a rather TIGHT grid in that whole area yesterday. I dug everything! And, got nothing. A fluke I'm afraid. :dontknow:

OWK · Oct 18, 2015

WHADIFIND said:
Anyway, for anyone who was wondering, I did go back and do a rather TIGHT grid in that whole area yesterday. I dug everything! And, got nothing. A fluke I'm afraid.

If you only got one piece of that buckle... you got the right one. :icon_thumright:

WHADIFIND · Oct 18, 2015

OWK said:
If you only got one piece of that buckle... you got the right one.

I tend to agree. I've seen them up for sale for over 200. So, somebody else appears to agree.

CRUSADER · Oct 19, 2015

These types of belt buckle hooks have been used for at least 300 years & they still use them today. The Navy used them recently. The one you have looks early 20th C to me.

WHADIFIND · Oct 19, 2015

CRUSADER said:
These types of belt buckle hooks have been used for at least 300 years & they still use them today. The Navy used them recently. The one you have looks early 20th C to me.

Thank you for that kind and informative info. Jealous, huh? Just gotta try to rain on the parade huh.

Maybe you should let these people know, before they make a faux pas.

http://sgtriker.com/accoutrement.htm

CRUSADER · Oct 19, 2015

WHADIFIND said:
Thank you for that kind and informative info. Jealous, huh? Just gotta try to rain on the parade huh.

Maybe you should let these people know, before they make a faux pas.

Sgt Riker's Civil War Trading Post - Accoutrements

I maybe wrong, the picture is hard to make out the head part, which gives clues to its date. Can you get better pictures? These are very tricky to date & lots of debate over the many different variants.

CRUSADER · Oct 19, 2015

PS. If you can do it in sun light with both sides, I will research further for you.

WHADIFIND · Oct 19, 2015

CRUSADER said:
PS. If you can do it in sun light with both sides, I will research further for you.

Sure, have at it! But, don't fret too much over it. I'm perfectly happy with whatever it is and will still be displayed along with the rest. LOL I haven't a care about the intrinsic value, (unless it's a million or more

).

Sorry, these are the best I can do with my equipment.

HH! And thanks for your help!

OWK · Oct 19, 2015

Interesting.

The head side seems to be holding an Iron loop.

Am I seeing that correctly?

WHADIFIND · Oct 19, 2015

OWK said:
Interesting.

The head side seems to be holding an Iron loop.

Am I seeing that correctly?

Well, yeah, I mentioned that initially. I suspected some sort of iron based chain remnant. The little loop is only mildly magnetic, (probably because there's not much more than rust left. That might be a clue too. How long would it take for an iron loop of that thickness to completely rust away?

)

OWK · Oct 19, 2015

An interesting link on the history of Snake Buckles dug in the UK. (none of which are yours)

snakebuckles

OWK · Oct 19, 2015

Another interesting link of FREEMASON Apron Hooks. (the last one bears a striking resemblance to yours).

https://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/apron_hooks/index.html

RustyGold · Oct 19, 2015

Incredibly nice find WHADIFIND! Very interesting!

pepperj · Oct 19, 2015

Very nice find, hope that you are able to get a proper date range for the snake.

CRUSADER · Oct 19, 2015

OWK said:
An interesting link on the history of Snake Buckles dug in the UK. (none of which are yours)

snakebuckles

Thats the problem I having. Checked my book & its not in it & its pretty much as I remember, they started in the 16th C, fell out of fashion in the 17th C, back in the later 18th C & used to modern day. Many of them had civilian uses on elastic waist bands.
On balance, I've somewhat changed my mind & will go with 19th C, but impossible to narrow any further.

WHADIFIND · Oct 20, 2015

CRUSADER said:
Thats the problem I having. Checked my book & its not in it & its pretty much as I remember, they started in the 16th C, fell out of fashion in the 17th C, back in the later 18th C & used to modern day. Many of them had civilian uses on elastic waist bands.
On balance, I've somewhat changed my mind & will go with 19th C, but impossible to narrow any further.

Yep, I concur. That's pretty much what I figured from my own little research. The only picture I found that fits was that one on Riker's site. If you look really close at the diamond "scales" engraved, you can see a sort of dividing line right thru the middle of each one. Small but very distinct feature. The stamp was made like that way. I was just hoping that it was special enough that it might be recognized as one from a certain maker.

Anyway, I appreciate the efforts and am reasonably satisfied with the age range figured. (Good nuff fer govt work!

)

Thanks!