Found today at ca 1900 site, button maybe?

Dirtdiglr

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Feb 21, 2013
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LA Lower Alabama
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You didn't tell us the object's size, which is information that is very important for figuring out its correct identification.

If it is about the size of a dime or nickle, it is very probably from a kerosene/oil lamp's wick-adjuster, or a similar device. (See lamp-wick adjuster photos, below.) The square hole in its back fit onto a square-bodied rod, and its "reeded/knurled" rim helped your fingers get a good grip on it for turning the wick-adjuster up or down.
 

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The size is that of a quarter. It is twice as thick as a quarter on the flat portion. The protrusion of the rear comes out 1/4". Thanks. Any other ?'s or needs. Just let me know.
 

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Thank you for the size information. The diameter of a US quarter-dollar coin is .95-inch. I've got a large oil-lamp in my house whose wick-adjuster disc diameter is slightly smaller than 1-inch. I've also seen some antique oil-burning portable heaters which have a wick-adjuster disc that is about 1-inch in diameter (and some are a bit larger). That is why in my previous reply I said your disc could be from a "similar device."

As I also said, the disc's reeded/knurled edge and square hole means it is for turning a small square-bodied rod on some sort of "adjusting" control device.
 

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The item appears to be made from two pieces of thin rolled and stamped metal, that are edge rolled and crimped together. I have never seen any type of oil lamp with a turn knob made this way. Also, the shaft generally extends all the way through on lamp turn knobs, and here we only see a hole at the back side. The lamp turn knobs that I have seen are solid material (not hollow), and have a knurled edge for finger grip. In fact, these lamps knobs that are found separately, quite often are mistaken by beginner relic hunters and metal detectorists as coins or tokens.

My hunch is, that this may actually be some type of a button. If we compare known two-piece buttons that have a wire shank constructed to fit through the the button back (as opposed to those merely surface soldered in place), we may see that the hole is also elongated slightly rectangular. For some reason, the style and construction of this particular piece, reminds me of a political campaign advertising piece, from about the late 1800's- early 1900's. I've not found reference to any candidate using "SUCCESS" as a campaign slogan yet. Still searching. :)


CC Hunter
 

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Also, the shaft generally extends all the way through on lamp turn knobs, and here we only see a hole at the back side.

I agree - this does have a different look to it but I think CBG got it :)

GONE WITH THE WIND STYLE TABLE LAMP, electrified oil lamp, with rose decoration on blue shading to white ground, filler cap marked Success. Height: 22.5"

: Search Results
 

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SUCCESS at last!!! :laughing7:


Bramblefind, you are spot on, and Professor Cannonball Guy was indeed on the right track! :icon_thumright:


CC Hunter
 

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Wow! That is a spot on match. Thanks. And do you have an era pf use?
I must also commend CC. The reeding ID and the two piece are correct. And uou recognized this only by the pic. Where it took me viewing through a loupe. Bravo to all for the help.
 

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Wow! That is a spot on match. Thanks. And do you have an era pf use?
I must also commend CC. The reeding ID and the two piece are correct. And you recognized this only by the pic. Where it took me viewing through a loupe. Bravo to all for the help.


While I will gladly take credit for pointing out the two-piece construction, in all honesty I was thinking there was NO reeding around the edge. That was in fact why in my thoughts, the item appeared more as a button type object, rather than a turn knob for a lamp. :)

Upon closer study of the excellent closeup photos you provided, I can certainly discern a reeded type rim now. At first glance earlier, I merely brushed off the idea of anything actually being around the edge, as only an optical illusion from the background. CBG and Bramblefind deserve more credit than I, as they were more factual with identification.


CC Hunter
 

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Jeez, Cannonball was even more correct than the person selling that lamp, noting that they called it the filler cap, where it's clearly the wick adjuster on the thing. :tongue3:
 

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