Another springy brass thing - new pics added

[Kevo_DFX]

I just can't figure out how this ornamental brass thing would have been used. I assume it is off an instrument. The sleeve on the one side has the same spring that is exposed on the other. Were the springs used for pulling it up to secure something? Sheet music? About 2 inches tall.

So, I got a new camera (free with some frequent flyer miles!) and thought I'd bring this one back with new pics. Any new ideas?

Thanks!
Kevo

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Another springy brass thing

bump. Ive seen this before. I wonder if it could be from a clock. I think its part of a larger delicate mechanism. Im following this to see what it is.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Another springy brass thing

It has Spanish looking shapes.

Also looks like bendable tabs to attach to a larger piece.

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Re: Another springy brass thing

Just FYI, the only artifacts I found in this site date 1880 to 1920's. It was a heavily used coal mining shack. From what I gather they used horses to move the carts from the entrance (across an old dirt rd) to this shack. I have found very few civilian items. No coins or buttons at all. A lot of horse tack, miners tags, big iron. The only civilian stuff I've found were this thing (I'm still assuming it's decorative with a function, there are still some places where it is shiny, polished brass like an instrument) and a few pieces of flatware.

Thanks for the perseverance,
Kevo

 

[Breezie]

Re: Another springy brass thing

I don't think 2 inches is quite large enough to be a musical instrument music holder, although it is possible. The ones I've seen are at least 3 inches tall or more (the actual lyre shaped area).

I'm thinking it is an antique spring loaded part for a brass bird cage? It may be the part that held the top hanging hook. Miners kept canaries to monitor gas. The bird cages during that era were extremely fancy, and had cathedral arches, and ornate cut-outs, although the cages used for mining might not have been so elaborate.

http://www.birdinfo.co.uk/sites/cages through the ages/cages_through_the_ages.htm

Interesting find,
Breezie

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Another springy brass thing

I do not think this is a lyre for a musical instrument. The spring is in the wrong place, and the construction of it is wrong.

That said, I have no clue what this might be.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Another springy brass thing

I think its some kind of catch that you pull with fingers to release. Can you take some more pics of the item from different angles? Particularly, take a pic of it in your hand to see how it fits. This thing is bugging me.

 

[Blacksheep]

Re: Another springy brass thing

My mind is slipping but I cant shake the feeling that I seen a cigar-cutter that had a similar actuator type handle. Searched thirty
pages of photo's and this is the closest I could find. This one appears to push down, the one I remember was pushed in and the
springs helped return it to rest.

http://www.antiquehelper.com/item/333760

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Hi all. I thought I would bump this one back up. It just seems to me that this can be solved. It does not look like a one of a kind item to me.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

bump

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Bigcy - Did the sheet music lyre posted earlier remind you of this? If so, it did me as well.

Thanks again, it's the darndest thing.

 

[Gunrunner61]

I'm leaning toward Breezie on this one, it almost looks like a spring loaded latch for a cage.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Bigcy - Did the sheet music lyre posted earlier remind you of this? If so, it did me as well.

Thanks again, it's the darndest thing.

No, I was cleaning out my old emails and reread your old PM. This cant be the only one in existence. It should be solvable. Plus it looks familiar.

 

[vhs07]

I know I've seen this before, and I'm pretty sure I've used this before, but for the life of me I just can't recall anything! I'll ask around on this.
-Charles

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I know I've seen this before, and I'm pretty sure I've used this before, but for the life of me I just can't recall anything! I'll ask around on this.
-Charles

Me too but I cant place it. Maybe clock related.