Lantern wick holder?

[FireonIce]

Found this today and wondered if this could be an old lantern wick holder and maybe see if anyone would know around what year?

 

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[nhbenz]

I tend to think not a wick holder, only based on it looking like thick brass, where usually the parts of a lantern are thinner. But that's assuming it's heavy brass like the Eastlake style hardware from the 1880's and 90's, which it looks like to me.
If no one ID's it right away a picture of the back may help.

 

[Retired Fire]

It looks like it would screw down on a surface and something would be inserted into the slotted circle. Interesting.

 

[The_Piratess]

Are there any threading, or grooves underneath?

 

[cudamark]

Does the center section with the slot rotate? It's cut at an odd angle.

 

[FireonIce]

no it doesnt move at all. it does look like it was screwed onto something.

 

[FireonIce]

no none at all. I will take a picture of the back of it when I get home.

 

[FireonIce]

yeah I cant figure out what it is.. it does look like it was screwed down on something. I do know an old barn used to sit there. just not sure what it could be

 

[FireonIce]

it is heavy like brass and I will take a pic of the back of it when I get home tonight. Thanks for trying to help me with this.

 

[The_Piratess]

Do you think that it screwed onto something, or possibly inside of something? I know that sounds odd but the older, kerosene lamps' top with the wick screwed into the glass base and not on it. I'll wait for the pic. Thanks.

 

[Bruce R]

Kinda looks like a keyhole escutcheon

 

[FireonIce]

Here is a pic of the back of it and the side.

 

[FireonIce]

Here is the back and side of it

 

[Tpmetal]

Kinda looks like a keyhole escutcheon

pretty sure we have a winner, makes sense to me

 

[cudamark]

That's what I was thinking too, except he says the slot doesn't turn. It would have to, to be a lock bezel. More likely it's for something with a blade or metal strap to cover the attachment point.

 

[Tpmetal]

That's what I was thinking too, except he says the slot doesn't turn. It would have to, to be a lock bezel. More likely it's for something with a blade or metal strap to cover the attachment point.

could be oxidized and clogged into position

 

[FireonIce]

where the little round part is on the back with the slot part it looks like it could of moved at some point but maybe it just wont move now. The slot looks pretty thin for a key though doesn't it?

 

[FireonIce]

here is a closer look at the round part from the back

 

[DCMatt]

Kinda looks like a keyhole escutcheon

Mailbox keys

 

[FireonIce]

nice, never saw those before. So its pretty fair to say it could more than likely be the slot for a mailbox key then I guess.