Silver disk with square shank

[Breezie]

Hey Gang,
I'm not quite sure if this is a cuff link, rosette, or what because the shank is square and thick. It's somewhat large in diameter to be a cuff link, but I have seen them that large. I think it is silver or at least plated silver because it came out of the ground the way it looks now, minus the dirt. I dug it at an mid-1800s home place. Thanks, Breezie

 

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[Breezie]

If silver it's not likely to be a saw medalion. I think the green check is a bit premature

Okay, IS, I'm going to put a little silver polish on it to see what happens. I'm going to remove the green check and let the experts in this area duke it out. Breezie

 

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[IronSpike]

I've twisted off many bolts and screws in my time, but never had it resulted in a completly flat surface.
What are y'all seeing that I don't?

-Charles

The piece appears to have been sawn/cut to size. It even looks like it the cutting was started at a shorter distance and then stopped.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I've twisted off many bolts and screws in my time, but never had it resulted in a completly flat surface.
What are y'all seeing that I don't?

-Charles

The piece appears to have been sawn/cut to size. It even looks like it the cutting was started at a shorter distance and then stopped.

I noticed the slot but I dont know what it could be. Twisted AND cut or just cut?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I've twisted off many bolts and screws in my time, but never had it resulted in a completly flat surface.
What are y'all seeing that I don't?

-Charles

Now that larger pics have been posted, it does appear that it may have been cut 9/10s of the way through and then broken because I see a liitle sliver on one side. SilverDiscShaft(2)

 

[dozer dan]

? Or ? ? ?

 

[dozer dan]

This thing seems so familiar but i just cant remember.

I'm kinda leaning towards a part of an old engine governor, or recoil starter part.

 

[Breezie]

Thanks again for the ideas. I cleaned off the tarnish and photographed it beside a silver 1/2 dime for color comparison. I don't have any acid to test for silver, but hopefully will get it tested soon. Looking at it in person, the shank appears to have been twisted originally. It's almost too perfect of a twist to have been down by hand. Breezie

 

[lostcauses]

'almost too perfect of a twist to have been down by hand."
Method is to take a square rod stock and one end in a vice,the other in a hand drill. Keep tension on the stock, and twist as needed. It is a normal method of jewelry making. works for all forms of stock,depending on the desired effect. Works on square, half round, triangle etc..
How large is the twisted part??

I still believe it was a part of a stick pin, or hat pin. some one could have easy cut off the twisted part to do something else with.

I do suspect it will be silver, or nickle. from the photos it looks silver. No green spots shown on it.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It's almost too perfect of a twist to have been down by hand. Breezie

I agree with that assessment. The twist is nice and uniform, and the disk is not damaged or distorted as IMHO it would have to have been to torque the shaft that much "in service".

I like Hill Billy's thought of a furniture glider cap - but silver is usually put where put can be seen. If it is silver. I couldn't find identical, but I suspect possibly German silver (mostly nickel) and either a leg tip or the slider bearing in a good piece of furniture for a pull out draw or desk surface. The square twisted shaft would lock it into a round hole with a mallet rap.

Darned if I can find an example of anything, though.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

As lostcauses explained, there is no problem making a uniform twist BUT I have to agree that it takes torque and there are no markings or distortion on the disc. Dozer dan may have an idea.