Help please

[siddieswans]

If you have some time on this wet and windy afternoon (in Sydney anyway).....

I have this item which has been turned into a brooch  - but from what? The pin is marked Metal - I am guessing 1880-1920?

It is nicely made, looks like brass. As you can see stamped on the back are the letters THE??ULL & TURN SOLI???RE

 
The BOLD letters I am sure of; the first two ?? I think is all there is space for; the three ??? is just a guess; I am pretty sure the second last letter is R.

The only thing I could come up with is "The Pull & Turn ....." or perhaps one word "The??ull & Turn" - have Googled with no result. It's of no real value, a seller not a keeper, but I would like to identify it before I pass it on. As you may   see in the centre behind the pin are two holes and a ground off metal shank which I assume attached it to something. Many thanks for any thoughts.

[bsal6160]

Siddie,

Look at this: http://www.hewnandhammered.com/hewn_and_hammered/2007/12/stuff-i-like-be.html

I think your item may have started life as a Button, Trench Coat possibly?

[bsal6160]

Or try here also

http://www.antique-collectible-buttons.com/antique-pictorial-buttons.html

[lakeland27]

 the construction is like a button, the words are to do with the patent or gimmick maybe ? 'the pull and turn button'  sort of a testimony to the inginuity of the maker or design at a guess ..advertising.

[siddieswans]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I would have thought that if it started life as a decorative button the maker's name would have been on it as well. I understand the advertising angle - that appears often on the back of items like batchelor's buttons, Sunday School brooches etc. However if it was "Turn & Pull" you would think I would be able to find it somewhere by Googling. And really, it doesn't look like the kind of button you would turn and pull.

Oh well, I guess it will join the myriad of things that I don't understand.

Again thanks.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the two small ground off buts were the turn and pull bits of the button.  Button jewellery is selling very well for the big sister, she is even finding the buttons and getting them made up to sell.

[islandretro]

I don't know anything about the button - but the T hinge and C clasp are definitely Victorian, if that helps

cheers

Rae

[not_an_eloi]

a cuff-link, centre originally 'ad a ball joint

one part of a two-part item.

under the solder may 'ave been two stud locatin' pins that

'ad to be slipped into a slot and turned to lock it into place.

[siddieswans]

Sorry, should have said it was 3 cms across - too big for a cuff link. Thanks for all your ideas.

[2chappies]

I'd say it's a brooch then.