Need major help!

cavers5 · Jan 16, 2007

HI,

Any help identifying these objects would be appreciated! They are silver-plated copper, approx. 1 1/2" by 1 3/4". The site where they were found is old, Civil War era.

Thanks in advance!
Cavers5

Bigcypresshunter · Jan 17, 2007

Are there markings on the back?

Natman · Jan 17, 2007

A pair of earrings, or 2 identical pins.

Nat

Night Stalker · Jan 17, 2007

After consulting with higher authority, I've determined these mysterious pieces of chrome and bakelite to be end pieces of a 50's era art-deco watch....

lucky1777 · Jan 17, 2007

Night Stalker said:
After consulting with higher authority, I've determined these mysterious pieces of chrome and bakelite to be end pieces of a 50's era art-deco watch....

I think it would be to big for a watch. Lets say if the dial was 1" and then add the decoration that would make it 4 1/2 inches across. To big for the average wrist. To me they look more like hairclips.

dg39 · Jan 17, 2007

Without a doubt from the 1930 to 50 time period. Other than that, it could be just about decorative.
DG

cavers5 · Jan 17, 2007

I thank all of you very much for your assistance!

The reason that I state "silver-plate" is because that's what a jeweler told me. If he's wrong, I won't be purchasing anything from him in the future! Granted, he's not a personal acquaintance, so no harm done.

Surely somebody somewhere has found something similar? (That honestly wasn't meant to be a tongue-twister!)

Maybe a decorative ribbon went through the clip part?

I believe the darker areas are bakelite, but not sure. I didn't ask the jeweler about that!

This was found in an area that was supposedly used heavily by Confederate soldiers and/or guerrillas (can't wait to go back!)

Thanks a million, esp. to Night Stalker and Outtosea for posting for me!

Cavers5

gollum · Jan 17, 2007

Are you sure they aren't the metal ends of suspenders?

Best,

Mike

cavers5 · Jan 20, 2007

As far as I can tell, there are no markings on the metal, although Outtosea thought that there might be some tiny markings on the back, but can't make them out.

They might be suspender pieces, but if they are, I'm missing another piece or the suspenders were really narrow and thin.

They might be bolo tie clasps, but I'm in the East and I've never found those before, let alone see anybody wear a bolo tie.

Does anyone know anything about collar chains?

Thanks,
Cavers5

Monty · Jan 20, 2007

Look at the very bottom of this picture of my junque. A zipper pull, almost same style except yours has some chrome on it.I also have a pic of one that is almost the same only a bit larger, but can't locate it right now. Could it be? Monty

Natman · Jan 20, 2007

The middle of each back side has a small dark spot where a post was..I have a bunch of pins that look just like it from where the post had rusted off, that's what still leads me to think they're earrings or pins of some kind. Then again, the rectangular hole throws me off.

Nat

mech · Jan 20, 2007

Nat, I dont think those were posts..I think they are where the "silver side" is attached to the "back side"..soldered, brazed.. they look to be two different materials and would have to attach somehow.

Based on just the pictures I still have to guess a hasp of some kind..
but to what?, I have no clue..anyones guess is just as good

cheers

cheese · Jan 22, 2007

Hey Monty...what you have there really IS part of a pair of suspenders. It's the part where the two shoulder straps join to the single strap that connects to the pants in the back. Each strap went through a slot in your piece to connect it together.

cavers5 · Jan 22, 2007

Monty, that does look very similar to the two pieces I found!

One of them has three "silver, chrome, or nickel" stripes and the other has four stripes, whether that means anything or not.

There had to have been some kind of pins on the back because of the little eyelet thingys.

I sure appreciate everybody pitching in to help!

Thanks for the explanation, Cheese. I'm going to look up some info on suspenders!

Thanks a million!
Cavers5

Angelo · Feb 21, 2007

Found this while searching other items.

1950's Trapezoid cufflinks. Similar markings.

Tony

cavers5 · Feb 22, 2007

Wow! Kudos to you! Those do look similar! Any way we can see what the backs of those look like?

Thanks a lot!
Cavers5

redstarr · Feb 23, 2007

They look like they might be a decorative cover for the parts of suspenders that clip to a man's pants on the front side.

jscorpio · Feb 23, 2007

Maybe an old belt or bracelet buckle? The post would "punch" through a hole in the leather and the clasp would lock in to another piece on the other end of the belt or bracelet. The leather would feed into the buckle in the space between the eyelets. $:-\$

cavers5 · Feb 25, 2007

Hi,

So far, the most favored guesses appear to be: suspender clasps, cuff links, belt pieces, or regalia items of some kind. We have yet to find anything exactly like them, although we're still searching. One friend of mine thought the pieces may be hand-made and not machine-manufactured. If that's the case, then they may be one-of-a-kind items, but then it looks like they would be monogrammed or something of that nature. Oh, well! Hopefully, eventually, we'll find out more about them!

I sure appreciate everybody taking the time to post pics and suggestions.

Cavers5