Odd Bracelet

[Customx_12]

Have to admit that I didn't find it detecting. I found it at an estate sale of a WW2 vet. I'm not sure what type of metal but it is possibly aluminum. It is composed of a series of panels. On the front of one of the panels is the letter "E" with the letters "A", "R", and "T" on subsequent panels. In between the letters "A" and "R" is the center panel that says "N=8" on one side and some sort of cross on the other. It appears to be hand made but I have no idea what the specifics are. I'd appreciate any help!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Bigcypresshunter]

I don't see anything inside but when I bought it, there was a small bloody piece of gauze inside the main panel. It was nasty so I threw it away. I don't really think it's silver though. What's the best way to check?

Any pawn shop can check. Are you saying the main panel will open and close to put something inside?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Customx_12]

I don't see anything inside but when I bought it, there was a small bloody piece of gauze inside the main panel. It was nasty so I threw it away. I don't really think it's silver though. What's the best way to check?

Any pawn shop can check. Are you saying the main panel will open and close to put something inside?

Oh, no. Sorry I wasn't clearer. The panels are open at the top and bottom about 1mm. Tucked into the main one was the gauze so I got tweezers and pulled it out.

 

[Twisted One]

Any chance you can take a picture of the bracelet from the top of the panels? Preferablly where we can see the larger one and atleast one of the smaller ones. I never even noticed that it was gapped, but now that you mentioned it the original picture shows it's layered some.

Just wondering if maybe they are not panels as I thought, but maybe the slipped on something, if it's aluminum then perhaps they were some sort of a heat tansfering piece, like a heat spreader.

 

[Customx_12]

Any chance you can take a picture of the bracelet from the top of the panels? Preferablly where we can see the larger one and atleast one of the smaller ones. I never even noticed that it was gapped, but now that you mentioned it the original picture shows it's layered some.

Just wondering if maybe they are not panels as I thought, but maybe the slipped on something, if it's aluminum then perhaps they were some sort of a heat tansfering piece, like a heat spreader.

Camera isn't working at the moment but I'll try to fix it to take some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Sky Pilot]

Is it possible that the gold color is caused from the plating that is there now (the silver color) being worn off, revealing the true color of the base metal, i.e., brass or copper?

Because the gold color seems to me to be most prevalent where wear has, or would be expected to occur, which would naturally tend to show the base (or underlying) metal.

Just a thought.


Sky Pilot

 

[Customx_12]

Here's a picture from the top looking down:

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Great pic. It looks a lot different than I had imagined. I would have the metal tested. If it was aluminum, it would be extremely light.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

This is just full of surprises! Somebody put a lot of thought and work into this bracelet. I am impressed with the small hollow rectangular link toggles along the edges. That's a lot more work than a drilled piece as I thought they were. I bet those big clasps are handmade as well. Wonder if the "N8" could refer to a firehouse or railroad engine?

 

[Twisted One]

Another twist, if I am not mistaken, those are not rivets like I originally thought. They look like pins with crimped bands on them?

The clasp also don't seem to match either, but looks like someone took the time and trouble to try and make them look close to the same.

 

[Customx_12]

Another twist, if I am not mistaken, those are not rivets like I originally thought. They look like pins with crimped bands on them?

The clasp also don't seem to match either, but looks like someone took the time and trouble to try and make them look close to the same.

You are correct. They are not rivets but pins. I wish I wasn't so ignorant about this kind of stuff but I guess that's why I'm here. I love how this has gotten everyone stumped but at the same time sure wish we knew what it was!

 

[Customx_12]

Another twist, if I am not mistaken, those are not rivets like I originally thought. They look like pins with crimped bands on them?

The clasp also don't seem to match either, but looks like someone took the time and trouble to try and make them look close to the same.

You are correct. They are not rivets but pins. I wish I wasn't so --deleted-- about this kind of stuff but I guess that's why I'm here. I love how this has gotten everyone stumped but at the same time sure wish we knew what it was!

the word ig.n.orant is not allowed?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

the word is not allowed?

In the past some people were offended when they were called names like s.t.up.id and ig.n.orant so that is the reason its no longer allowed. It takes a lot of effort to keep the forum civil and the mods do a great job. The problems were not so much here but in the politics section.

 

[Customx_12]

the word is not allowed?

In the past some people were offended when they were called names like s.t.up.id and ig.n.orant so that is the reason its no longer allowed. It takes a lot of effort to keep the forum civil and the mods do a great job. The problems were not so much here but in the politics section.

Gotcha.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It astounds me how many things DO get identified here . . . and usually pretty quickly. The human mind is able to make incredible links and connections to objects. Sometimes with success, sometimes not. ;-)

I am always mindful that I don't know a heck of a lot more than I do. So, statistically, I'm pretty i.g.n.orant regarding most things.

But it sure is fun trying!

What you have there is likely a one-of-a-kind and those are almost impossible to identify accurately without, as they say in the art world, knowing the "provenance" of an item detailing who owned it and how and why. It's like getting a relic second hand - it loses all viability for dating once it's out of the ground unless it is a known item with like items of know history to compare it to. This bracelet - you know it's from an estate of a WWII vet, but you don't know when it entered his possession, if he made it, was gifted it, found it metal detecting, etc.


Makes for great detective work. ;-)

 

[Twisted One]

There is also the fact that each of those pieces are now in a much broader spectrum of use, they could be anything from clips out of a messkit, to something out of the inside of a airplane. I was starting to doubt the trench art thing because it looked too machined, and too good as far as the etchings go.

But honestly, this could have easily been done in a trench, the etching would have took a steady hand, but the maching work isn't what I assumed since they are not solid pieces.

If you can find someone to identify what those piece of metal came out of, I think you would find about as much as you are going to, unless it gives a better clue as to what the engravings mean.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

it loses all viability for dating once it's out of the ground

isnt that what the archies are always complaining about MDers?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Yep. But the ancient and equitable rule of "finders keepers" applies.

I do see their point, but most m/d-erists stick to the upper 12" of topsoil and we're not destroying much of any real relevance. Who died and said the archelogists are any more entitled than grave robbers or amateur historians? That's the difference between a privateer and a pirate. Same end result with different initial paperwork. The Archies are just doing what we do but for the benefit of their sponsor and to be able to publish and advance their own self-interests. The difference is they record it carefully (to publish for royalties) when they destroy a site and supposedly know what they are doing - having learned by destroying previous sites.

Sorry - got all cynical there.

Take a look back and see how many "discoveries" were the result of a well digger, back-hoe or plow. The Archies are just vultures waiting to pounce on a carcass of opportunity.

 

[Customx_12]

Yep. But the ancient and equitable rule of "finders keepers" applies.

I do see their point, but most m/d-erists stick to the upper 12" of topsoil and we're not destroying much of any real relevance. Who died and said the archelogists are any more entitled than grave robbers or amateur historians? That's the difference between a privateer and a pirate. Same end result with different initial paperwork. The Archies are just doing what we do but for the benefit of their sponsor and to be able to publish and advance their own self-interests. The difference is they record it carefully (to publish for royalties) when they destroy a site and supposedly know what they are doing - having learned by destroying previous sites.

Sorry - got all cynical there.

Take a look back and see how many "discoveries" were the result of a well digger, back-hoe or plow. The Archies are just vultures waiting to pounce on a carcass of opportunity.

Thank you! It needed to be said. I was watching a special on some excavation in South America and the archeologists were complaining about the "looters" who would remove artifacts. That's exactly what they were doing though! As you said, different backers but same methods and purpose.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have read some books on local archaeolgists digs at ancient Florida Indian sites and I would have to say that they were extremely meticulous in recording every minute detail. Far, far, far more was learned and shared than the mobs of metal detectorists and treasure hunters that removed just the metal objects for personal gratification or profit before them. Im not taking sides, Im just saying.

Now where can I go to view these items pictured in the books? Was anything stolen by the archies and volunteer students themselves?

 

[diggummup]

There is also the fact that each of those pieces are now in a much broader spectrum of use, they could be anything from clips out of a messkit, to something out of the inside of a airplane. I was starting to doubt the trench art thing because it looked too machined, and too good as far as the etchings go.

But honestly, this could have easily been done in a trench, the etching would have took a steady hand, but the maching work isn't what I assumed since they are not solid pieces.

If you can find someone to identify what those piece of metal came out of, I think you would find about as much as you are going to, unless it gives a better clue as to what the engravings mean.

I agree the pieces used need to be identified.
The term "Trench Art" does not neccessarily mean an item was made while a soldier was "in the trenches". Most trench art pieces aren't elaborate or highly skilled made pieces and many were fashioned out of paper, cloth wood and even bone. There are actual trench made pieces, either in front line or support trenches, especially in quieter parts of the line. Not to mention wounded soldiers also made pieces while laid up in the infirmary. Some were made by POW's and interned civilians too, some were made by Civilians living in a war zone and some were even made commercially after the war. Of course the actual soldier made items are the most valuable in terms of historical importance/significance and monetarily.