Switch plate type thing

[Bramblefind]

I guess My brother found this at a home site in the fall and asked me to try to get an ID on it. Finally getting around to posting Little over 5" x 3.5".

I think this will probably be easy for someone.. thanks!

 

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[Bramblefind]

Yep I agree.

Thanks to everybody who replied!

Someone in this thread could very well have made the ID for this. I might just try to do some follow-up on some of the ideas and see if I can find a match. Until then it will just have to remain an unconfirmed mystery item

 

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[Old River]

I'll agree with the door bell. I've found a couple of the little round bell's myself that looks just like those

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Even though 5" x 3.5" is the standard size for an oversize wall plate, I dont think it is. The screw holes should be in the plate itself. I believe it had another "wing" on the bottom that broke off so this must be the attachment points..

The hexnuts on the bottom are to remove the 2 round things. I would be tempted to put some rust penetrator and wrench on it and break one off to see whats inside. I dont think its a door bell push button or butler button unless it has a spring inside as older buttons were mechanical. Can these be pushed?

Take a spoon and hit the side of one to see if it rings like a hollow bell. Does it ring? There is usually something in the middle of a double bell to hit the sides to make it ring. If it doesnt ding, I doubt its a bell unless it has an electrical coil or something inside.

 

[Bramblefind]

Ok BigC - for you - I took the pliers to it Nothing inside. It actually came apart very easily.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I guess you were as curious as I was. Now what do we do? Its not a push button, nothing mechanical inside. It does kinda look like a bell. There must be something missing because I think something needs to ding the bell. Ill see what others say but I guess it was a bell. Sorry maybe I made a mistake suggesting that I would be tempted to break it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

With no electronics inside, it would need something outside to strike the bell. (if its a bell)
and I cant visualize how it would have mounted.

 

[Bramblefind]

No worries I'd rather try to figure out what it is. I didn't even ask my brother's permission.

I'll go out on a limb and say he would be fine with it too

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes it helps. We know they are not push buttons. It looks as if they were attached with a hex headed screw or stud and that is what broke. If they turn out to be anything of value, you could possibly carefully drill out the broken screw and rethread the bells.

Here is something of similar shape and a suggestion on how to test. Did you try dinging it?

It has to be held or supported in the proper way to ring
if it is a bell. Stand a pen upright, place the object on the
point of the pen so it is only touching the ball point. Now
tap it with something metal like a knife blade or nail
clipper, does it ring when you try this?

. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,310925.0.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

They just dont seem close enough together to be mechanical bells. The striker (dinger) would be in the center so as to alternately hit both bells. They would also have to be suspended in air by the studs (not touching surface) to ring.

 

[Bramblefind]

Thanks BigC - I think now that they aren't bells. They did make a tinging sound when I tested them but not a nice bell ring and they just seem too light weight. Maybe decorative bases to something? The ideas of the pen/pencil holder or something else along those lines might be more likely.

 

[simonds]

I still stand by my idea of a sconce plate that hangs on the wall with something attached to the face of it. Not necessary a candle holder, but something. The bell shaped objects were there to cover the studs and to be decorative. The indents on the back may have held on a blank cover plate.
http://www.nextag.com/Furnishings--...le+wall+sconcesz2700404zB6z5---html

 

[Goodyguy]

I see it as a cover that snapped onto or over something and something else was attached to those domes.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I see it as a cover that snapped onto or over something and something else was attached to those domes.


I know this is not it, but may jog an idea

I am thinking the same that something attached to those domes. But what confuses me is there are no holes or even any marks to reveal how anything was attached.
And what is the purpose of the wing?

The ideas of the pen/pencil holder or something else along those lines might be more likely.

Sounds good but if it was a pen holder, again what is the purpose of the wing?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I still stand by my idea of a sconce plate that hangs on the wall with something attached to the face of it. Not necessary a candle holder, but something. The bell shaped objects were there to cover the studs and to be decorative. The indents on the back may have held on a blank cover plate.
http://www.nextag.com/Furnishings--...le+wall+sconcesz2700404zB6z5---html

Maybe but the link doesnt work. Id like to see it. The only explanation I have for the wing is to mount on the wall. I think there were 2 and one broke off..


Bramblefind, could something have broken off the front face of those "bells"?



Im having trouble finding a square double sconce like this but simonds may be on to something.

The mounting screws are usually holes in the sconce (not an outside wing) but maybe some older ones were different. So far I cant find any with this outside "wing" and this may be key to an ID.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I cant find a sconce with the outside "wing" mount(s). It may have simply been 2 wall hooks, hung on the wall sideways, and the hooks broke off.

 

[simonds]

Maybe two hooks on it. One for a hat and one hung lower for a coat

 

[Bramblefind]

Yes I think something could have broken off them - here is another pic. They are about 1 5/8" diameter.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes I think something could have broken off them - here is another pic. They are about 1 5/8" diameter.

Not bells; not push buttons. If the wing is for wall hanging it would eliminate pen holder. I think we have it narrowed down to wall sconce or wall hooks... or it could be something else. There may have been two "wing" mounts. I think the wing is key to ID.

 

[Goodyguy]

According to the ruler the "domes" are on 3" centers.
So not much room between them.


I would go with wall candle sconce with the candle holders broken off.
Not electrical because no place for the wires to come through the escutcheon plates.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes, its enough room for a double sconce.


I think this Victorian looking wing is the key to ID. Ive seen this somewhere before but I cant find a match online for the life of me.