JSpinner
Jr. Member
- Feb 16, 2013
- 83
- 39
- Detector(s) used
- Bounty Hunter - Fast Tracker
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
When I opened the box containing this chain mesh mess, I could not figure out 
what it was supposed to be. The blob of tarnished fine chain mail, a bell shaped cap, little rings, and a twisted band was filthy and mangled. With a hopeless sigh, I feared it would most likely end up in the trash.
I cleaned it up with baking soda, vinegar, and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Then I laid it out to dry on a cotton towel and studied the pieces in hopes to discover clues or a pattern of sort. I don't know why I just had to have this thing.
I decided it was either of brass or a gold-wash brass. As I began to connect the links and reconstruct the pieces, I began to see how unusual this piece really was. I had acquired the mangled mess for almost nothing at a local junque shop, but soon discovered that what I had was a most rare find, and worth far more than I could have ever imagined. This was an antique drawstring, mesh purse of some sort. As the thing started to take shape, I started searching antique purses. Then I found the the telltale clue... a tiny "Whiting & Davis" tag, still attached to the body of fine chain mail mesh.
VERY RARE-EARLY WHITING & DAVIS BELLTOP GOLD MESH PURSE
Amazingly, every tiny gold dangle, every link, draw chain and tassel, were all there. Upon completion I realized that I had resurrected a fine historic and very rare "Whiting & Davis" antique mesh purse. When I finished piecing it all together, it was absolutely stunning.
To my best estimate, this rare piece was worth around $1800-$2200,
although no dollar amount was shown for another purse I found in a reference book, best resembling what I had.
Still, the most exciting part about my find is that I had just spared this rare historic piece from the trash. I cringe every time I think - 'what if I hadn't picked it up and bought it?'
- JSpinner
what it was supposed to be. The blob of tarnished fine chain mail, a bell shaped cap, little rings, and a twisted band was filthy and mangled. With a hopeless sigh, I feared it would most likely end up in the trash. I cleaned it up with baking soda, vinegar, and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Then I laid it out to dry on a cotton towel and studied the pieces in hopes to discover clues or a pattern of sort. I don't know why I just had to have this thing. I decided it was either of brass or a gold-wash brass. As I began to connect the links and reconstruct the pieces, I began to see how unusual this piece really was. I had acquired the mangled mess for almost nothing at a local junque shop, but soon discovered that what I had was a most rare find, and worth far more than I could have ever imagined. This was an antique drawstring, mesh purse of some sort. As the thing started to take shape, I started searching antique purses. Then I found the the telltale clue... a tiny "Whiting & Davis" tag, still attached to the body of fine chain mail mesh.
VERY RARE-EARLY WHITING & DAVIS BELLTOP GOLD MESH PURSEAmazingly, every tiny gold dangle, every link, draw chain and tassel, were all there. Upon completion I realized that I had resurrected a fine historic and very rare "Whiting & Davis" antique mesh purse. When I finished piecing it all together, it was absolutely stunning.
To my best estimate, this rare piece was worth around $1800-$2200,
although no dollar amount was shown for another purse I found in a reference book, best resembling what I had. Still, the most exciting part about my find is that I had just spared this rare historic piece from the trash. I cringe every time I think - 'what if I hadn't picked it up and bought it?'
- JSpinner
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