"Signal" brass & glass thingy - ***SOLVED***

[ModernMiner]

"Signal" brass & glass thingy - ***SOLVED***

I dug this up at an old platation house yesterday. It is brass with a clear lens or marble on top.
It has "Pat's pending" and "Signal" on the bottom.
I had a guess of possibly one of those reflectors on an old railroad crossing sign.
Any idea what it is?
Thanks,
MM

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

When you shine a light at it in the dark does it reflect back?

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

When you shine a light at it in the dark does it reflect back?

Charlie,
Thanks for bringing that up. There is a white color (maybe reflective?) inside in the base under the glass.
-MM-

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

"It's not for eatin, it's just for lookin through... " -- Chief Dan George (Outlaw Jose Wales)

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

I'm thinking you're on the right track with an insert for some type of sign or road marker. I have heard them called "cats-eyes".

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

"It's not for eatin, it's just for lookin through... " -- Chief Dan George (Outlaw Jose Wales)

Hey Jimbo!!! How ya been?
Maybe Sammy Davis lost this thing?
-MM-

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

I'm thinking you're on the right track with an insert for some type of sign or road marker. I have heard them called "cats-eyes".

Thanks Charlie. That makes sense now. The old RR ran through this property back in the day. The new RR runs through it now too.
-MM-

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

"It's not for eatin, it's just for lookin through... " -- Chief Dan George (Outlaw Jose Wales)

Hey Jimbo!!! How ya been?
Maybe Sammy Davis lost this thing?
-MM-

Or Peter Falk!

I've been fine Doug... thanks. Just sittin gback and watching you tear up the relics.

I think you have a reflector there like Charlie thinks. Try it out and let us know.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: "Signal" brass & glass thingy

http://www.angier-fox.com/05-images-2/0509-mo-ia/image/page24.html

Great job on the ID 3rdof8. Thanks so much.
I can mark this one as solved now.
-MM-