Swords crossed on round disk and an old key

CharlieT84

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Mar 18, 2019

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Upstate New York

• Jun 18, 2019

• #1

Can you help with these? I found them at an old (mid 1860s) house.
The round item with the crossed sword was found in the same hole with the small round item.
I am guessing it was attached at one time, but that is just a guess. You can see there are threads on it. I believe that the small disk actually threaded on to a threaded shaft that was part of the larger disk (swords disk). In the last photo I placed the one disk on top of the other - it is how I am guessing it should be- but I am not sure.

Also any guess on what the key might have unlocked?

 

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Last edited: Jun 18, 2019

duggap

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Chattanooga, TN

• Jun 18, 2019

• #2

Your pin is a color disc and represents cavalry and dates to 1910-1924. Your key is generally associated with railroads.

 

S

Stiffwrists

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Utah

• Jun 18, 2019

• #3

WWI Collar Disk

 

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CharlieT84

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Mar 18, 2019

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Upstate New York

• Jun 18, 2019

• #4

Thank you so much for the info. If I understand both of you then this would have been something that was worn on a collar of an actual cavalry soldier in WWI ?
This forum is the best. People are so helpful and share so many finds and stories.

 

AirmetTango

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Apr 14, 2017

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NW Ohio

• Jun 18, 2019

• #5

CharlieT84 said:

If I understand both of you then this would have been something that was worn on a collar of an actual cavalry soldier in WWI ?

Click to expand...

Yep, absolutely. Here's a picture of one properly placed on a tunic jacket:



Also, this website has some great information that can help date and identify various collar discs/insignia, with additional photos of soldiers wearing them:

Dating Metallic Insignia: Collar Discs

 

SageGrouse

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Jan 4, 2013

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Santa Fe NM

• Jun 20, 2019

• #6

The key looks like an old railroad switch-key.
Switch-keys were used to unlock a switch box, in which was a lever handle that, when pulled or pushed, moved a segment of track from one track to another, allowing an engine and cars to change routes.
Switch-keys were valuable, and guarded carefully, to prevent pranksters or people with bad intent from switching a track and derailing or de-routing a train.
I used to have three of my great grandfather's switch-keys for the St. Lousi and San Francisco Railroad (SL&SFRR or "The Frisco"), but one has disappeared over the years and I have two left.
Sage(three longs, a short and a long)Grouse