WIERD KEYRING OR HOOK~~~~~HELP

artzstuff1 · Jul 22, 2009

Found on old yard site, some kind of hook , or key ring :dontknow:

,can anyone help on this ,,,appears to be a serpent or snake??

thanks

art

AU24K · Jul 23, 2009

Nice close up pictures. Can you back up and post a picture of the whole item with a coin etc. for size reference? Also are there any markings on it, say on the inside?
Scott

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 23, 2009

Very interesting relic. It reminds me of the old snake belts. Im guessing belt or horse related.

creskol · Jul 23, 2009

I think that is half of a snaffle bit. I can't find a photo of it yet, but will look through my books. As I recall, it was an English import.
Neat find!

IronSpike · Jul 23, 2009

creskol said:
I think that is half of a snaffle bit. I can't find a photo of it yet, but will look through my books. As I recall, it was an English import.
Neat find!

Snaffle bit would be horse or buckle related?

That's an excellent relic :icon_king:

Added: I think creskol got it :thumbsup:

creskol · Jul 23, 2009

IronSpike said:
creskol said:

I think that is half of a snaffle bit. I can't find a photo of it yet, but will look through my books. As I recall, it was an English import.
Neat find!

Click to expand...

Snaffle bit would be horse or buckle related?

That's an excellent relic

Added: I think creskol got it

Hmmm .. In looking at it a little closer, being as that there is a flat side to it that I overlooked, I recant on my thoughts of it being a bit. Now I am not sure unless it is a hanger of some sort. Sorry for the mis-ID.

IronSpike · Jul 23, 2009

If not horse bit I would lean toward sword hanger rather than buckle.

artzstuff1 · Jul 23, 2009

AU24K said:
Nice close up pictures. Can you back up and post a picture of the whole item with a coin etc. for size reference? Also are there any markings on it, say on the inside?
Scott

Here is one with the other stuff that was dug with it,,

thanks for the info,

arthur

RPG · Jul 23, 2009

IronSpike said:
If not horse bit I would lean toward sword hanger rather than buckle.

I agree, sword belt hook. And a very nice one at that. :thumbsup:

Rancho Leo · Jul 23, 2009

that is a snap hook similar to the one in this link http://images.google.com/imgres?img...mages?q=snap+hook&hl=en&sa=N&um=1&newwindow=1

I have used them most of my life for key ring holders on my belt

hh

goldguru · Jul 23, 2009

GALT 1073 said:
that is a snap hook similar to the one in this link http://images.google.com/imgres?img...mages?q=snap+hook&hl=en&sa=N&um=1&newwindow=1

I have used them most of my life for key ring holders on my belt

hh

Agreed U can see the rivet which held the spring in the 1st pic

CRUSADER · Jul 24, 2009

goldguru said:
GALT 1073 said:

that is a snap hook similar to the one in this link http://images.google.com/imgres?img...mages?q=snap+hook&hl=en&sa=N&um=1&newwindow=1

I have used them most of my life for key ring holders on my belt

hh

Click to expand...

Agreed U can see the rivet which held the spring in the 1st pic

yeap but wouldn't this snapping mechanism be perfect for a Georgian Belt Fittment, ie sword belt hanger? Thats what I would guess!

BuckleBoy · Jul 24, 2009

I wanted to wait a while before I replied to this thread--just to see what folks unbiased ideas were. I also believe this is a sword belt hook. It is the oldest find by far of the ones found that hunt--and it is also by far the best. I have never seen such a piece with comparable design on it. Most of the ones I've seen that are dug here in the U.S. are plain.

Regards,

Buckles

mrs.oroblanco · Jul 24, 2009

I have to admit, it doesn't look like ANY sword hanger I have ever seen (if that's what it is).

It seems like you lose your sword hanging off that thing

I really thought it was a harness part - a part that sits on the flank of the horse and you hang the trace link on it when you remove it. (the reason one side is flat)

B

BuckleBoy · Jul 24, 2009

mrs.oroblanco said:
I have to admit, it doesn't look like ANY sword hanger I have ever seen (if that's what it is).

It seems like you lose your sword hanging off that thing

I really thought it was a harness part - a part that sits on the flank of the horse and you hang the trace link on it when you remove it. (the reason one side is flat)

B

The clasp itself resembles this style of Civil War sword hanger, which my buddy dug:

(I have drawn a red arrow to point out the almost identical broken spots on the "clip" of both the one my friend found, and the one in the top post in this thread.)

The loop and "wrap-around" is similar to this style of CW relic, only much more ornate:

http://sgtriker.com/accoutrement.htm

I don't know what time frame this piece is from, but it is certainly a fascinating relic.

I hope this helps,

Buckles

BuckleBoy · Jul 24, 2009

Here is an Indian Wars era sword hanger that uses both the "clip" and the "wrap-around" styles in the same piece--but I think the one you found is likely earlier--perhaps Mexican War era or so. (Don't quote me on it--that is just my gut feeling.)

http://www.corinthcivilwarrelics.com/jpgfiles/silverhangerspw.jpg

mrs.oroblanco · Jul 24, 2009

What you posted looks like civil war time period (that's a guess - because there are also repros out there - as a scabbard hanger), but, none of them are flat on one side.

I'm trying to find a picture of what I'm talking about.

B

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 24, 2009

I dont think so but could it be Masonic? Could we see a better pic of the other item found?

BuckleBoy · Jul 24, 2009

mrs.oroblanco said:
What you posted looks like civil war time period (that's a guess - because there are also repros out there - as a scabbard hanger), but, none of them are flat on one side.

I'm trying to find a picture of what I'm talking about.

B

I don't really understand... "flat on one side." :icon_scratch:

Do you mean the hoop or the curved piece?

artzstuff1 · Jul 25, 2009

sounds like you guys are on the trail of something here!!!! all I know is i am going to go back to see if there is any more stuff there,,

I will keep you all posted,,, thanks for all your help guys ,,,dont give up yet !!! I will keep checking the thread on this piece,

art