Portland

[Kim - PA]

Hey everyone,

I found this whats it yesterday. It had such a crust on it I couldn't tell what it was, I was hoping it was a buckle from the civil war because the area it was found in was near a civil war training camp. When I got it home and cleaned it up I could tell it wasn't what I was hoping for so I soaked it all night in vinegar. As you can see from the picture it is from Portland, the back has what looks like S/N Portland 1912 Chas M Robbins Co. Attle Boro,. Any idea's what it is?
Kim - PA

 

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[Gypsy Heart]

Robbins Co. Attleboro, was a company which was founded in 1892 and continued until 1963. Today, it is under new ownership and no longer uses the Robbins Co. mark.

Sounds like you're describing the mark for Charles M. Robbins Co. of Attleboro Mass. If you have Dorothy
Rainwater's American Jewelry Manufacturers (and you should if you need to i.d. American maker's marks), the marks are on page 201.

http://www.souvenirspoons.com/silver.html trademarks listed

R *USED WITH A DIAMOND AND WING GRAPHIC - TRADEMARK USED BY THE ROBBINS CO., ATTLEBORO, MASS., SINCE 1945

 

[Kim - PA]

Gypsy Heart,
Thanks for the info on the Charles M Robbins Co. The back is to far gone to see a Makers Mark on the back. Any idea of what it might be? I am not sure what kind of metal it is I think it has copper in it. I don't think it is a piece of jewelry, there is nothing on the back to suggest a broach, no place for a chain. The pic is pretty close to size. Any idea of what it is?
Kim - Pa

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I cant read what it says on the bottom of the pin,even when I blow it up. I do know that the robbins Co made the enamel Boy Scout pins, and this is enamel. But what it actually was, badge,pin ,etc? I cant tell you .

But could it be the top to a souvenier spoon

The three stamps are the hallmarks for the firm Charles M. Robbins, which began business in 1892 in Attleboro, Massachusetts and is known for its sterling and enamel jewelry and souvenir spoons.? The hallmarks are: a partially conjoined "CMR" in a diamond shaped cartouche,? an arm wielding a sword in a V shape and a bird on a perch in a rounded square.? (Although I have not seen it, another mark for the company is a different version of the conjoined letters "CMR" in a diamond with "Trade" above and "Mark" below.? Charles M. Robbins later became Robbins Co. whose mark is the letter "R" in a winged diamond shape.)

 

[Rustbelt Rosie]

Hi Kim~
I think what you might have is a souvenier pin from the Portland Rose Festival. I believe they have been celebrating the "City of Roses" since about 1907. Each year a pin is designed for the event. If this is what you found, it's nice that the enamel has endured for all of these years. Congrats! Nice find!

HH,
Rustbelt Rosie

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I will save you some time....it wasnt on ebay

 

[diggummup]

Since you thought it was a buckle,i'm guessing it is about 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 or so? Rustbelt Rosie's guess sounded pretty good.though would that be too large for a pin?Maybe not.Nice unique find.BTW- I wouldn't be using vinegar too much,it's highly acidic and could easily damage a valuable find.Just a little food for thought.Good luck and H.H.-diggummup

 

[Kim - PA]

Thanks gypsyheart & Rustbelt Rosie for all your help, I think it is some type of souvenir from the Portland Rose Festival.
I can tell from the back that it is not a pin and it is to heavy. I don't see any kind of break so I don't see it being the top of a spoon. What ever it's purpose it will now be a treasure to display in my growing collection.
Kim - PA