Light day at the mansion and a puzzle

[WHADIFIND]

Got out for a short walk. Never expect much here. But it always tends to give me a puzzler.



The puzzler is as I found it. Just brushed off:





Best I can get without straightening.
Appears to be brass. If I read right, it spells out "FATAL" . Some sort of mark in the center too. Kind of substantial, not just a thin sheet.

Anyone?

Thanks for peeking!

 

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[Inspector]

The partial loop looks made to fit a finger for pulling, like an old sash lock, but odd shape for that. congrats and GL identify

 

[WHADIFIND]

The partial loop looks made to fit a finger for pulling, like an old sash lock, but odd shape for that. congrats and GL identify

You mean the buckle? They are two separate pieces. Found in different spots.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[dirtlooter]

ninja throwing star used on something big! No, really, it is puzzling for sure. the things we find

 

[Inspector]

You mean the buckle? They are two separate pieces. Found in different spots.

referring to picture 4 item

 

[RVRoamer74]

Cool find. Love hearing that brass under my coil. Maybe a definite ID will come. Congrats!

 

[bologna321]

Any businesses named Fat Al's nearby?

 

[Squirrel322]

"Fairest Among Thousands, Altogether Lovely"

You found your self Masonic item from the Order of the Eastern Star. I remembered Fatal standing for "female auxiliary.....something-er-other" but I guess I was wrong. Anyway, pretty cool find, looks like an older piece to me.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Another wonderful walk in the nice weather!

 

[Whyme]

That's a pretty cool find! Congrats!

 

[WHADIFIND]

"Fairest Among Thousands, Altogether Lovely"

You found your self Masonic item from the Order of the Eastern Star. I remembered Fatal standing for "female auxiliary.....something-er-other" but I guess I was wrong. Anyway, pretty cool find, looks like an older piece to me.

View attachment 1684677

MASONIC!!! Of course!! I knew I'd seen those letters on something before!

As far as old? This place EASILY transcends the earliest 1700's! Wouldn't surprise me a bit!

Anyway to date this thing short of carbon dating? Could be back far enough that it would've been very simply made. There is some sort of symbol stamped in the center. I can't make it out.

Opinions needed: should I attempt to straighten? Clean? Maybe even shine up?

Maybe it has George Washington's initials in the middle?

Thanks!

 

[Squirrel322]

I would NOT shine it up but gently wash it if needed. I would also consider flattening it. However, if you are not confident in the stability of the metal or your method of flattening it then maybe its best not to proceed.

You could always ask a jeweler if it is something they could do.

 

[Subterranean]

Whadi, the bent star appears to have been cut from a badge or medallion resembling the old "circle star" badges. Cool finds! Sub

 

[A2coins]

Now thats a cool find Id love that in my display case Well done

 

[WHADIFIND]

I would NOT shine it up but gently wash it if needed. I would also consider flattening it. However, if you are not confident in the stability of the metal or your method of flattening it then maybe its best not to proceed.

You could always ask a jeweler if it is something they could do.

Well, before I start doing anything. I'd like to try for a better ID on the piece. I was trying to determine just how long ago it might've been made. Was hoping the design in the middle might help. But, that's the problem with digging up history. Unless its clearly marked...just can't know for sure.

It does seem to be of a fairly heavy construct. Not like something just stamped out of a thin sheet.

Thanks again for the help.

(just wish George would sign his stuff more clearly! )

 

[WHADIFIND]

Whadi, the bent star appears to have been cut from a badge or medallion resembling the old "circle star" badges. Cool finds! Sub

Looking closer, I think you are absolutely correct,Sub ole pal! I noticed that each "point" of the star is missing. More like flattened edges as if it had come from inside of a circle badge. Not only that, I made a very minimal attempt at straightening one "point". Just with my thumb and finger and....it snapped off!!! I made a repair to return it to the way I found it and will not attempt any further. Its possible that the rest of the badge is where I found this. I'll mark that for a future walk.

But, it brings a question to mind. I assumed this was brass. But, how long would it take brass to get to a crumble point !? This piece just might be a *lot* older than I as-sumed!

Any thoughts?

 

[Msbeepbeep]

You got another walk in the middle of winter! Awesome!

Certainly an interesting mystery piece.
Maybe a little cleaning, but no more bending. It doesn't like bending....too old. 😅

I see Blingie was attracted by the shine from the new clad.
Fishy is considering what he's going to do with the good stuff.

Maybe the center characters will give away the pieces ID.

You never cease to amaze!