✅ SOLVED Metal snake

[coin1921]

This snake was found while detecting an old church yard which also yeilded coins from the early 1900's. Would anyone have an idea as to what this may be. I believe it is made of brass.

 

[IronSpike]

There are no visible makers mark on the reverse of the "key chain". Thought maybe this could be a sweater of jacket pull.

Pringle of Scotland (est. 1815) has a similar lion logo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pringle_of_Scotland

 

[Foiled Again]

Hello coin1921:

I also live in Canada (Thunder Bay, Ontario) and also have found two thirds of a snake belt. I don't have the sites in my favorites any more due to a computer crash but when I researched my snake belt buckle I found that the older they are (Civil War etc) the rounder they are in profile. Mine is flattened somewhat and probably comes from the early 1900's. I dug it near an old lumber camp. Been back to look for the other keeper a few times without success.

Here are pics of both sides of mine. It is well worn and used for a long time before being lost.

Other side:

Looking for the other part of this belt to complete it. If anybody has dug the identical belt loop and is willing to part with it, please let me know. There are several styles of loops also which can help with the dating of the snake belts.

Good luck with your digs,

Foiled Again

 

[coin1921]

Thanks for the pics from Thunderbay. Excellent photo"s. We have also found numerous army buttons that are likely from the 1st or 2nd war, so it would be a good guess that the snake buckle was likely from that period.

Are there any laws governing metal detecting in Ontario? Up here in The Pas, we have never been questioned or confronted by anyone. I have heard that the only laws in regards to metal detecting in Manitoba are on what is considered a "heritage site", which them requires a permit to dig.

 

[Foiled Again]

Coin1921:

Regarding laws in Ontario - I believe that Provincial Parks are off limits but I can look that up. I usually hunt in the woods these days and avoid parks, tot lots except if I am coming off of night shift and can hunt them before 9 AM.

I did find some paleo-indian artifacts by chance one time and took them to the University to authenticate them. They were authentic. The archies acted like I had robbed a grave or something and wanted the articles. I decided to keep them as they would probably only end up thrown in a file box somewhere and nobody would ever see them. This was the only time I had trouble over where I was hunting.

Interesting subject though. I will ask around to see if there are any formal rules about detecting in Ontario.

Talk to you later,

Foiled Again

 

[One mans trash...]

Seems to have been a not uncommon military buckle theme. The owner of this one is guessing (but only guessing, from some similar things) that it's Victorian. And of course, that means it was subject to being copied for civilians.

I find some discussion of the snake buckles in use from 1888 by British units and someone who says he has a photo of British troops using it in 1909, although it is said to have been phased out by 1903.

And here's an interesting essay on the snake belt in British school uniforms:
http://histclo.com/Schun/country/eng/gar/other/sue-belts.html

 

[CRUSADER]

Seems to have been a not uncommon military buckle theme. The owner of this one is guessing (but only guessing, from some similar things) that it's Victorian. And of course, that means it was subject to being copied for civilians.

I find some discussion of the snake buckles in use from 1888 by British units and someone who says he has a photo of British troops using it in 1909, although it is said to have been phased out by 1903.

And here's an interesting essay on the snake belt in British school uniforms:
http://histclo.com/Schun/country/eng/gar/other/sue-belts.html

I worn one in the CCF back in the 90s.

 

[IronSpike]

Seems to have been a not uncommon military buckle theme. The owner of this one is guessing (but only guessing, from some similar things) that it's Victorian. And of course, that means it was subject to being copied for civilians.

I find some discussion of the snake buckles in use from 1888 by British units and someone who says he has a photo of British troops using it in 1909, although it is said to have been phased out by 1903.

And here's an interesting essay on the snake belt in British school uniforms:
http://histclo.com/Schun/country/eng/gar/other/sue-belts.html

I worn one in the CCF back in the 90s.

Would that be 1890s

 

[RafterRat]

Just an FYI - The snake motif as a link was used on buckles, belts, and all sorts of similar garb for the military, religious groups, fraternal groups (Masons, Odd Fellows, etc, etc, etc), and assorted other wear. The one you have may well have been a stock design that was made by one company and sold to whomever wished to buy them for the manufacturing of whatever equipment/garb that group/company was making.

 

[Iron Patch]

What makes this so unusual is that I am in Canada, 400 miles North West of Winninpeg, in the town of THE PAS. This town is situated on the Saskatchewan River and was origonally settled as a major fur trading location. It has been historically a hunting and fishing destination for American sportsmen, and there was a US Air Force radar installation 15 miles north of the town for decades. I can only assume that this buckle was in the possession of one of the soldiers. As well, the Hudson Bay Railway line was built in the 20's, and I understand that many of the construction crews were from the US.
There is a park on both sides of the main hyway that runs through the town, and has remained undeveloped and used as a meeting place and green space since the town was built. This park has yielded a large number of coins from the 1880's up, and jewelery over the years. The best coin to date is the Canadian 1921 5 cent piece my brother found in the park. This coin was sold three years ago for $ 3,000 cdn, and is now worth twice that amount.

Thank you all for helping with the identification of the snake buckle and i wish you all good hunting.

A 21 is certainly one of the holy grails when it comes to metal detecting and Canadian silver coins. I have little interest in most 20th century finds but I would not have sold that one! But regardless, it's a great find.

To date I have only found one snake buckle and have hunted a LOT of old sites. (Atlantic Canada)