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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on May 29, 2012, 03:59:30 PM

Title: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 29, 2012, 03:59:30 PM

My vision is not what it used to be, and I have a heck of a time threading my antique sewing machines without reading glasses. So I bought a really neat set of 1850's spectacles to wear with my Civil War costuming. The side pieces have small loops at the end, so I decided to get an antique chain so that I could wear them. When I got the chain shown below, I was guessing that this was an old watch chain of some type. There is a very tiny patent number on it. It says "Pat No. 2232868", however when I look up that number, I'm getting some kind of industrial process from the 1940's. Can you guys give it a try to see if you can find it?

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: frogpatch on May 29, 2012, 07:09:25 PM

It is so easy for a 7 digit number to get transposed or written incorrectly. It will be difficult because the possible combinations of errors that may have occurred are so great. I was checking on line regarding the death of a person and two reliable sources had him at two different ages. I will try but it may be difficult.

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: mart on May 29, 2012, 07:17:00 PM

What does the chain look like ??

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 30, 2012, 12:03:50 AM

Oops! Sorry I forgot to include the pic:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqVHJC8E-mvD26FbBPs80C0Ui!~~60_12.JPG)

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: mart on May 30, 2012, 05:02:40 AM

Looks about a foot long !! How is the round end made ?? With a clip of some sort ?? Can`t tell from the pic !! Looks like a buttonhole watch chain !!

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: KC on May 30, 2012, 07:55:50 AM

That's my first impression as well Mart!  That, or a chain for a chatellaine.

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: mart on May 30, 2012, 08:31:39 AM

Thats possible too, KC !!

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 30, 2012, 01:55:39 PM

I'll photograph the end pieces of the chain tonight. The whole thing appears to be brass. It is tarnished but there is no flaking or chipping so I don't think it is "gold tone". The links of the chain are made of little circular "cuffs". The whole thing is 16" long, too long to be a chatelaine, but I think it's about right for a watch chain.

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 31, 2012, 12:33:15 AM

Here are the two end pieces:

Title: Re: Patent No. 2232868 is not a watch chain?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 31, 2012, 12:53:17 AM

Just for fun, here are the little old spectacles that are now hanging on the chain. These date to the 1860's or earlier. I thought that the seller had overestimated their age, but when I looked them up here: http://www.sptddog.com/sotp/spec.html (http://www.sptddog.com/sotp/spec.html) sure 'nuff, they're that old. And they are great little reading glasses. The most comfortable set I have ever had!

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$%28KGrHqZ,%21jIE-Nqs%213cmBPrr2h7U8w%7E%7E60_12.JPG)