What is it? Military?

[jeweler21]

I found this item in an old fort dump. I have found many buttons there and when I found this, it was just a lump of corrosion and dirt. I thought it was another button, but when I got home and cleaned it, it is a small fan 1/2 inch in diameter and about 3/16 inch thick 4 small mounting tabs on the back. It actually turns and the fan is mounted in the frame with pointed pivots such as a lot of watches from that period. The area were found was a fort dump from about 1865 to 1875. My feeling is that it belonged on some sort of military uniform or item? Any info greatly appreciated. I have been unable to locate anything like it on the net.
Thank you in advance and HH.

 

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[Hawk'n Dirt]

Very cool! Amazing it still turns...

 

[tennessee digger]

I think that it is a tent ventilation device. Not positive.

 

[jeweler21]

I think that it is a tent ventilation device. Not positive.

Thank you for your reply. I, also, thought it to be a vent of some sort but too small for a tent.
I sent the photo to [email protected] and he replied that he thought it was a vent from an 1880's spike helmet.
I down loaded a photo of a spike helmet and it made perfect sense. Thirty-five years ago in the same location, I had found a large brass eagle from a hat but had never researched what hat it came from. This vent was probably from the same helmet that the eagle from thirty-five years ago was on.
Her is the photo of a spike helmet.

 

[Old Dude]

That most definitely is a first! The things you see and learn here can be found no where else, I am sure! Thanks for your posts and pics.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Most certain that is what it is. Here is link to a similar type.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ww1-a...foreign-service-pattern-pith-helmet-334647/ly

Good find,
ZDD

 

[tennessee digger]

On second thought, I think you are right! Good find.

 

[jeweler21]

Thanks for the reply. I could not get the link to work.
HH