Money clip or something else?

[HutSiteDigger]

Dug this in a Civil War camp deep in the ground and @ first I thought it may have been a money clip but I just do not know... Only thing it says on it is Pat appofor?

 

[taz42o]

Here are two patents that clearly show the same attachment as in snoopys link and they are for keys, and are both from the 40s.

Patent US2531835 - EXTENSION KEY CHAIN - Google Patents

Patent US2531835 - EXTENSION KEY CHAIN - Google Patents

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

... Only thing it says on it is Pat appofor?

It says PAT APP'D FOR but unfortunately there is no database for patents applied for. Great photos Hut!

 

[nhbenz]

Cars didn't have ignition keys until around 1938-ish.
Breezie

Model T's had ignition switches. Many cars might not have had an electric starter (required cranking), but usually a keyswitch still needed to be in the "on" position to start it. Likewise before you pushed the old style starter button.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Pocket Watch Chain, but I'm not 100% sure about the U'shaped part, unless the U can be pushed tight against the watch.

http://www.a-place-in-time.com/apit/448-Triple_Chain_Medallions_Face_Belt_Loop.html

View attachment 792238View attachment 792240

I read the link but what kind of patent is that? Is that a foreign patent number? D-112997. I was going to search for the Swank patent out of curiousity but its not any number Im familiar with..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is the Swank item on eBay. They say its 1940's Vintage Swank Zoot Suit Jitterbug Accessory Pocket Watch Chain Pants Pocket Clip | eBay

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

another on etsy Vintage Deco Pocket Watch Chain Signed Swank by GreatStuff2730

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont know if this helps ID the item but the D-112,997 appears to be a US patent document number and I found it here. Ladies belt clip The Swank item is a Ladies belt clip patented in Oct 12, 1993.. https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/US5251361.pdf

My guess the item in question is a key chain belt clip.

 

[taz42o]

I dont know if this helps ID the item but the D-112,997 appears to be a US patent document number and I found it here. Ladies belt clip The Swank item is a Ladies belt clip patented in Oct 12, 1993.. https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/US5251361.pdf

My guess the item in question is a key chain belt clip.

I think that the wrong patent, but the 112997 patent is listed as" references cited" and has the name Howard 1939.

 

[GpSnoopy]

Sorry for posting that link and saying it was a Watch chain. I was swayed by the description and the fact that it wasn't a Fleabay advertisement. But in the end, there was no reasonable facts to show how it could be used to hold a watch.

This is one of those items, that when you do a search based on everyone's "guess", there is so much overlap with the same images, that each guess sounds and looks plausible.

After reading everyone's posts, and looking at the patents, I'm also leaning towards the Key Chain Belt Clip as its intended purpose. Still a possibility of someone using it as a money clip if they so choose (I often buy hardware for uses completely different than what was intended to suit my needs). I need to force myself to be a bit more cautious about posting possible ID's when there aren't multiple non sales authenticated documentation.

 

[Breezie]

Model T's had ignition switches. Many cars might not have had an electric starter (required cranking), but usually a keyswitch still needed to be in the "on" position to start it. Likewise before you pushed the old style starter button.

Benz, my point was people back during the time from 1900 to 1920's did not carry a large ring of keys like we do today. Most cars during 1908-ish to 1920s did not require an ignition key to start it. Around 1938 was the era when ignition keys were in use, and still at that time, some cars still had a starter button. As stated, Cadillac did have an ignition key around 1910.


Breezie

 

[GpSnoopy]

BCH and TAZ

This is the Howard Patent and it's just for the Belt Clasp itself. Patent USD112997 - DESIGN FOR A BELT CLASP - Google Patents

I think that the wrong patent, but the 112997 patent is listed as" references cited" and has the name Howard 1939.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think that the wrong patent, but the 112997 patent is listed as" references cited" and has the name Howard 1939.

I googled patent 112,997 and its a patent for a breech loading rifle. I have never seen a patent number written with letters and numbers but yes I found it under references cited patent documents D-112,997 1/1939 Howard. I dont know what it means exactly but its on the 1993 ladies belt clip patent page that kinda matches the Swank item so I feel there must be a connection.

My guess is its a stamped reference number to Document 112,997. If you have any other explanation, I would love to hear it.


I dont understand why a reference or document number would be stamped on a clip either. I guess I could search further into the 1939 Howard reference but I dont know if it will help.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Sorry for posting that link and saying it was a Watch chain. I was swayed by the description and the fact that it wasn't a Fleabay advertisement. But in the end, there was no reasonable facts to show how it could be used to hold a watch.

This is one of those items, that when you do a search based on everyone's "guess", there is so much overlap with the same images, that each guess sounds and looks plausible.

After reading everyone's posts, and looking at the patents, I'm also leaning towards the Key Chain Belt Clip as its intended purpose. Still a possibility of someone using it as a money clip if they so choose (I often buy hardware for uses completely different than what was intended to suit my needs). I need to force myself to be a bit more cautious about posting possible ID's when there aren't multiple non sales authenticated documentation.

I was just showing that its not a 19th century item and the attachments were added later.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

BCH and TAZ

This is the Howard Patent and it's just for the Belt Clasp itself. Patent USD112997 - DESIGN FOR A BELT CLASP - Google Patents

Aha. I was just getting around to searching Howard 1939 and I missed your reply. See how one thing leads to another? What does Des stand for? Design Patent?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Ok so the Swank clip is a 1940's item. We still dont know the OPs item but similarities to the 40s Swank belt clip is noted.

 

[taz42o]

Yes ,D then later DES was for design patent , The ornamental part.

 

[Breezie]

Breezie,
What turn of the century patent are you talking about The watch chain patent that does not match the item found?
If you notice that the patent you posted and any watch chain you look at has a small teardrop shaped clip for the watch.
I think they [keychains]are all from about the 40s. One posted above says so, and the one with "swank" ,Swank didnt even start until 1927.
Why would you put That large u shape on a watch or a belt? It would be at a right angle to either one , would make no sense on a belt and wouldnt work in a pocket on a watch because you would have two large items at right angles to each other.

SWANK Men's Belt Hook Keychain Fob Black Figural Cameo On Cobalt Blue from sleepingmermaid on Ruby Lane

Taz, if it works for you, it works for me as a key chain

The patent I posted was for a 'Watch Guard,' hence the "U" shaped thingie, which would be worn on a belt. (I agree the angle would not be right to lie flat, but he invented it that way.) If you read his patent, you will see he says, 'I have described my invention as a watch guard, there are various other uses to which the invention may be put, such as supporting keys from a belt.'

I used the terms Art Deco era because that is what the clip looked like. The patent is 1924, which fits Art Deco. When I said 'turn of the century,' it should have been Art Deco.

Breezie

 

[GpSnoopy]

Breezie, your Watch Guard patent actually makes perfect sense for a belt attachment. It looks to me like it was designed for a leather belt to slide through it, which would allow it to sit fairly flat against the belt, not to be attached to a belt loop.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Thanks for everyone's input on this! Really Appreciate it...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I notice 2 items marked that they are patents applied for but the lettering is machine stamped in 2 different fonts. I am trying to find out when Pat App'd for was first used. Patent pending - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia