Old Military Piece?

[Willy_MN]

Hello All,
I found this piece at an old home site that has produced coins and other artifacts dating back to the 1880's. You can see some of the other finds on the Explorer forum. I originally thought this was junk, but a little cleaning revealed that is had some engraving on it. So, I decided to clean it up more and the design became clear. I don't know how clear the design will be to the first time viewer as I've been looking at it on and off for four days now. The design shows an Eagle with its wings spread, a stars and stripes shield, plants/flowers (?) and some other scroll work. My question is what is it? It measures approximately 1 1/2" wide X 2 1/4" long X 1/4" thick and is made of a fairly thin gauge of copper that shows possible signs of being nickel (?) plated at one time. If anyone has any idea what it could be and its approximate age, I would be grateful for the information. Also, if the scanned image isn't clear enough, I can borrow a camera with macro setting and try to get a shot that would show the detail a little better.

Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Jeff

[attachment 163657 WhatIsIt_Full.jpg]

 

[srf2112]

It looks to me like an old harmonica plate.
HH
Scott

 

[bunker314]

I think you nailed that one Scott! Good job.

 

[Willy_MN]

Here's a clearer pic showing the construction of the piece. The end facing the camera shows that it is formed copper, hollow in the center and the opposite end was closed off originally. It looks to me and my brother in law that it may have fit over the end of a belt or strap of some type. I don't believe it to be a harmonica plate as I have found them before. My original picture was two separate pics (front and back views) combined into one file. Thanks for the views and the comments.....Jeff

[attachment 163717 SDC11650.JPG]

 

[srf2112]

I see from the new pic and info that it's not a harmonica plate. Nice piece though Jeff. That scrolling is beautiful and that may be able to help somebody determine it's ID and period. Good luck.
HH
Scott

 

[Carolina Phil]

n/t

 

[Curt_in_W.Mass]

Think Carolina Phil might have it...found item very similar with liner inside and very oranate outside...just like your last picture..my piece had remnants of "lid clicker" i call it anyways sticking out,what threw me off at first was interior metal..but kinda figured what i had was bottom of old lighter..been wrong before and happy with replies...Curt

 

[Larry (IL)]

A wild guess, but a cigarette or tobacco case? Looks like a top fit on the recessed part facing the camera.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

n/t

 

[Willy_MN]

Thanks, Gray Ghost -- you nailed it!

I had considered the lighter idea before posting here, but the length and width weren't in proportion to any of the lighters I looked at. Also, at only 1/4" thick, there isn't enough room for the inner workings of a lighter. If you do a Google search for "old match safe images", you will find thousands of pictures of them. Thanks again, GG -- you da man!

HH,
Jeff

 

[History Nut]

Looks like the top piece off a sword scabbard. Just a guess

 

[Soreback]

Nice design on it what ever it is! Looks like it could have been attached to a piece of wood on one end, like a handle of some kind. I want to think about this some more.