6th partially IDed find at 18th cent. mansion - side view mirror off old car?

[WHK621]

Greetings to all. I've been hunting this 18th century restored mansion, (see picture below) for about three days now and yesterday I dug this mirror which appears to be off an antique type car. The glass is beveled and is about 1/4" thick. The mirror is 5" in diameter. I'm hoping someone out there will have some experience with this item. It was down about 7-8 inches, and I had to take care not to do further damage to it. The corroded metal is very fragile. There is only small fragments of reflective material left to even recognize it as a mirror.

So far I have pulled two Indian Heads, 1888 & 1897 which are now soaking in olive oil and several shot shell bases, (4) U.M.C.CO, and (1) REM-UMC all in 10ga. size. I know that Remington Arms merged with the U.M.C Company around 1912, so this person was probably hunting on his property just before the 20th century right through at least 1912. This house was built in 1774 and has had several owners over the years. I'm just trying to find something before 1800 to keep my spirits up.

Thanks in advance for all your help with this, it is greatly appreciated.

--Bill--

 

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[dg39]

Early 1900's. Probably the broken or rusted section held the mount. Could be very early rear view mirror, but then the possibility of reflector for a carrage light.
DG

 

[WHK621]

Hello DG,

Thanks for your speedy reply. Yes, I sense you are correct with this. Actually a carriage reflector would suggest an earlier time which is what I'm hoping for. I know nothing of carriages, and I'm thinking that the back has two concentric circles, which appears to have been made by a machine and not a Blacksmith. Well, like I said before, I'm hoping someone can nail this one as to the general time period and nomenclature.

Thanks again DG

--Bill--

 

[trikikiwi]

I can't see how it would fit as a reflector. I think definitely vehicle rear mirror - and with that glass..
it has to be fairly old .. so how about this..

 

[WHK621]

Hello trikikiwi,

Thanks for taking the time to research this mirror. I couldn't agree with you more. The concentric circle on the back and the way it appears to attach to a pole or something, leads one to believe that this was in fact a very early model Model T. mirror.

Thanks again, it is appreciated!

--Bill--

 

[junkdigger]

I was thinking it might be a sconce. That is a reflector for a candle. The old ones had a candle holder,finger loop,sconce,and stand,all in one portable unit. A 1700's flashlight. That beveled glass just makes me think it is older than an automobile...

 

[WHK621]

Hello junkdigger,


Your theory sounds very interesting. Yes it is true that the glass is thicker than I would expect to see on a rear view mirror, although I've never seen, or paid attention to the external rear view mirrors when I've been close to them. I will see if I can research this a bit and thanks for your time in responding to this item.

Happy Digging!

--Bill--