Pennsylvania find; No clue?

[Ziggy-Grimm]

Found behind an early 1900s high school; I sent a pic to my buddy and he found one of these as well in the past in our area. We live south of Pittsburgh, PA.




It says: "Lift the dot" on the top of it. We are thinking something coal miner related? Any help appreciated!

 

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[Red-Coat]

Google would have told you:

https://www.jclarkemarine.com/collections/liftthedots

https://www.jclarkemarine.com/blogs/news/115640069-what-are-lift-the-dot-fasteners

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

could be military

 

[ARC]

Dot fastener.

 

[Red-Coat]

For those reluctant to click on hotlinks:

"Lift the dot fasteners were first invented to hold curtains back on horse drawn carriages. They then moved into the military industry used for keeping satchels bags closed and also gun holsters shut. Due to their strength and durability they elevated onto the marine and automotive market. Lift the dots are unique as they are locked on three sides and can only be opened by "lifting the dot" on one side. This is always marked with a dot on the socket. The prongs on the socket come in two lengths to accommodate different thickness of material. There are many types of studs also, again to entertain the thickness of material or the material they are being fixed too. Lift the dot fasteners are now used on a wide range of things including classic car hoods, military satchels, marine covers, boat canopies, vintage pram covers, narrowboat cratch cover, pram hoods and we even had a cattery purchase quite a few to be used for attaching cat hammocks to scratching posts."

PS: First patented in 1907, I think.

 

[Ziggy-Grimm]

Thanks, ya'll!

 

[A2coins]

great ID