✅ SOLVED Drilled disc

[Stegner]

Found this at a site that housed a lot of early 1900's activity and some sporadic earlier colonial items. This is 2x the thickness as a penny - thought I had something awesome until cleaning it. Note that the two drilled holes are at counter-angles to each other. Any ideas?

 

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[creskol]

a whizzer toy would be my guess

 

[vpnavy]

Never heard of a "whizzer toy" so I just had to look it up creskol. I found one example (see attachment) from a thread at My 2009 Year: Coppers, Spanish Silver, and More (Dec 30, 2009).

 

[BosnMate]

When I was a kid we made whizzer toys out of buttons.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

....

 

[Stegner]

....

The offset drill holes make sense if this is the case, since that would propagate the rotation. I will try to "rebuild" ;-) this and will let you know how it works!

 

[Stegner]

I'm likely to give this one a green "check" but saw another whizzer-related post on another message string that suggested an item like this could also be a hemweight. Any opinions from the group here as to which is more likely? Thanks all for the responses!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Is it lead? I think it could also be a homemade button or hem weight because it doesnt have the scalloped edging that probably helps make the buzzing noise.

 

[Stegner]

No - not lead.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

All the hem weights I have seen were lead. I go with button or whizzer.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Here is a photo of some hemweights just for info.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is a photo of some hemweights just for info.

link or reference please

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found it. It states that these hemweights are believed to be lead. Hem Weights | Did You Make That?

It also says that coins can be used so I guess its possible.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

well..just to take this into the ethers....
that piece reminds me of the backing for some old military fasteners...
bright shinny object on the front of a leather or heavy wool piece...the disk, a backing to keep the object from tearing into the material??

the germans used this method...the americans also...
I keep flashing on US, WWI aviator wings...two loose wings and shield on front...brass backing on the back or inside of the material..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is a good pic of older dug hem weights. All lead. http://www.metaldetectingforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=121&t=20274 I think you need to find a non lead example of a hemweight.

People made use of whatever was available. Hemweights were used for buttons and buttons were used for whizzer toys.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

now imagine a brass plate to match the badge...the plate goes between the cloth an the cotter pin

 

[Stegner]

Great comments all!
Based on all the comments I think this is a whizzer toy - not made from a coin (based on the appearance of the metal) or button or hemweight ( holes are too far out toward circumference.
The two holes are drilled at counter-angles, to help make the rotation occur, so it looks like this is intended to be a whizzer toy, whether it be a different brand than a Whiligig or homemade. If I can find more info I will repost...but for now, many thanks and GREEN CHECK!