✅ SOLVED Metal object from 1850s homesite

[Hoosier Digger]

Metal object from 1850's homesite

I don't even know enough to know how to title this post. Found this at an 1850's homesite in Indiana. It obviously has a green patina. There is a recessed area with two small holes which I believe held an inlaid shield of some sort. There is a small metal fold over clasp on each side of the back, so it appears it clipped over something. Other than that I can give you no clues. As always, all of your comments are welcome and appreciated.

 

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[prolab69]

Im going with suspender buckle, so many different designs were produced over the years. I can see the tab where the "toothed wheel" would fasten, and the two tabs hanging down were once connected together with a prong going up the center to hold a strap. you can see the similarities from some of these.

 

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[thepoolguy]

a lot of keys were shaped like that. heres one from a Harley toolbox

 

[prolab69]

i guess it depends on what it is made out of, strength and thickness, that should more or less determine its use.

 

[SkaBa]

Richie Rich, how far back in time were divot tools being used? I don't golf so have never personally seen/handled a divot tool. The tabs that project down on this are this and fairly flexible. Is that the case with a divot tool? I look at divot tools and I can't figure out how they are used, so I don't know how strong the projecting tabs need to be.

If the tabs are flexible, then that rules out a divot tool. Divot tools are stiff so they can be used like a pry bar. Angle the tool under the divot at 45% pointing towards the center pushing down on the head to lift the tabs.

 

[G.I.B.]

I was thinking something along the lines of a lock plate cover.

 

[Hoosier Digger]

Prolab69 First of all, wow, what a beautiful collection. I have a few suspender clips, but nothing like this. My eye is drawn especially to the bottom right corner, upper left corner and bottom center. These have similar "tabs" to mine. I think, by far, this is the closest I've seen to an answer. I still can't picture just how it worked since there is no place for the suspender to weave through (other than to pass through the small clips on the back) but you can't deny the similarities. Thanks!

 

[Hoosier Digger]

Thepoolguy, I see the similarity in shape, but I feel my piece is to weak and flimsy to be a key. But others have suggested that. Thanks for sharing the picture.

 

[Hoosier Digger]

G.I.B., I see why you would think that. I'm beginning to lean strongly towards a suspender clip given the new photo that was recently added to the post, but thank you so much for sharing!

 

[DCMatt]

Thepoolguy, I see the similarity in shape, but I feel my piece is to weak and flimsy to be a key. But others have suggested that. Thanks for sharing the picture.

Weak and flimsy? The pics look like heavy brass to me.

If it is weak and flimsy it is a broken suspender clip. It still has the tabs on the where the clip was attached.

 

[Hoosier Digger]

DCMatt, I am 99% convinced this is a suspender clip. What I meant by weak and flimsy was that I can easily bend the "tabs" with my fingers. I did not think they would be strong enough to hold up as a key, but I could easily see it serving as a suspender clip since it is about the same strength as those I have found. Looking at your picture, I do believe the bendable tabs on the side would be where the back clip was attached, and it is easy to picture the bottom tabs joining up as in your photo. I think I will go ahead and mark this one as solved. Thanks for your imput.