Anyone know what this is?

[Digger RJ]

Anyone have any ideas on this? It has “patented” on one side and “1883” on the other.
Thanks for any help. Happy Hunting!!!!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[Anduril]

Maybe something to indicate which floor, for an elevator?
Just kind of has that look to it...

 

[firemanphob]

on pic 2, I think I can see some script on the upright piece just above the flat base. Looks like it could have been riveted to leather or possibly thin wood. Just food for thought.

 

[Deftone]

Wow holy crap nice find!

 

[Digger RJ]

The arrow freely moves from one side to the other.

 

[CaptEsteban]

Reminds me of some of the " indicators " that were used on old ships, sextants, etc. Everything was brass, too.

 

[invent4hir]

Please provide some details on where you found it - that might help I'd it.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I have to agree with Mike 'Firemanphob', with the presence of rivets it was likely attached to leather or something along those lines.
But what was it's function... whatever it is, at least you know it was patented.
Maybe an early 'level' indicator.

Dave

 

[invent4hir]

Perhaps ID it by researching the patent year. That would take some doing - but at least you'd know the answer.

 

[bologna321]

Gear selector for draft horse.

 

[Anduril]

There were a total of 21,160 Utility patents issued in 1883, and another 1,020 Design patents.
It's probably a utility patent.

Believe it or not, that narrow the search down considerably.

 

[Force_of_Iron]

Maybe something to indicate which floor, for an elevator?
Just kind of has that look to it...

That was my first thought and apparently a lot of others as well from the likes. The only problem I see is that there doesn't seem to be any mechanism to it.

 

[DCMatt]

Looks like a detent at the '9' and '3' o'clock positions. Maybe it's just a line tightener for a clothesline...

I suspect it's missing a knob from the end of the arrow.