Really cool watch fob found today... think its rare??

[mack0238]

Really cool watch fob found today... think it's rare??

I found this about 6" down next to a huge old white pine on an old farmstead.

The back reads "United States Horse Shoe Co. Erie, PA"

The S on the front hooked in the horseshoe looks totally badass. I'm guessing 1890's?

Gonna do some more research...

 

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[Argentium]

Something about the font style of the wording has me thinking more like 1920's - just guessing though - Nice Find .

 

[Iron Patch]

Very cool, but probably not rare.

RARE Antique Watch Fob United States Horse Shoe Co Erie PA 1800'S | eBay

 

[mack0238]

Interesting one on Ebay! I just wish I knew the era it was from...

 

[sutphin]

MAMAMA MACK THAT IS A COOL AND DIFFRENT FIND YOU HAVE THERE. MAY HAVE BELONG TO A TRAVLING FARRIER.

 

[detectahead]

Sure like it though! It's eye catching! Congrats!

 

[hbeaton]

I think Argentium is pretty much right on this one being 1920s/ArtDeco style...

A few adverts from 1917 issues of the American Blacksmith, a trade publication, (September, October & November to be exact) all said that any "blacksmith and Horsemen" who wrote ordering a catalog would get a "Handsome Souvenir Watch fob" simply by asking for one. While the adverts do not have an accompanying image of the fob, odds are good that its a similar example to yours. Other similar trade publications have a similar advert going into late 1918 with the same exact language.

Here's that example https://books.google.com/books?id=SLnmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PT340&lpg=PT340&dq=United+States+Horseshoe+Company+watch+fob&source=bl&
ots=rz4Y0dbIW_&sig=88tVjBO9lFcgGI9TRiWWyzQ5IyY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEsQ6AEwC2oVChMIo9WAvKH6xgIVhNCACh0isgdE#v=onepage&q=United%20States%20Horseshoe%20Company%20watch%20fob&f=false

Furthermore, if you flip your US over and look at the reverse bide bottom of the "U" you may still be able to make out the maker which should be L.F. Grammes & Sons, Allentown, PA" (manufacturers of metal specialties) The name is in very small script. The Allentown firm started in 1875 and lasted a hundred years or so.

Finally, again, while I agree this item is most likely post 1900, the United States Horseshoe Company that was in Erie, PA may have had beginnings as early as 1863 in Providence, RI when a company by that name was first chartered.
See the charter info here: https://books.google.com/books?id=WjFFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=United+States+Horse+Shoe+Company&source=bl&ots=b8MoJ161o2&sig=9p1JabsFOf9ocC10w7t7ekY_F7k&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBjgKahUKEwjG4fmfovrGAhUHnIAKHd0GDeQ#v=onepage&q=United%20States%20Horse%20Shoe%20Company&f=false


Not sure if its the same company as one could have started and ended and another using the old name sprang up a later time remains to be seen. Further web digging might link the two (maybe starting in RI and moving to PA at some point) but what is for sure its this a cool piece.

HH!
-Hunter

 

[mack0238]

hbeaton, you are the man!!!!

So, so much information you found!

Thank you so much.... It looks like it's probably from the late teens or maybe 20's at the absolute latest.

So cool that it's all about horse shoes!

HH

-Pete

 

[wv hilljack]

Nice find. There is one on ebay.
RARE Antique Watch Fob United States Horse Shoe Co Erie PA 1800'S | eBay

 

[Old Dude]

Neat find and looks like you've gotten some history on it. Thanks to hbeaton for the good info to accompany it.

 

[Carolina Tom]

hbeaton is awesome.

That is a really sweet fob, congrats on the find.

 

[hbeaton]

Being the Lebowski fan that I am..."The dude abides"...glad I could help.

 

[46Wheat]

nice piece

 

[Trezurehunter]

That's a neat looking fob.