Stumped! What is this?

[Darr3nG]

9 hours ago, stefffana said:

a purse for knights to attach over horse's neck

Interesting... the various in-line connections look similar to other belts / ropes use on horses.

A variation on this idea... a sporran chain from a Scottish Kilt?

[Alex944]

An acquaintance of mine has coined the idea that this is the belt part of a Chatelaine without the clasp that should be on there:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatelaine_(chain)

No further info on its origin though unfortunately.

[Alex944]

The plot thickens...

I checked with a friend of mine who is into antiquary and though he's not 100% sure since he hasn't seen a comparable example of this, he thinks that this is actually a particularly nice version of a Double Albert pocket watch chain (don't know if that's true) which is missing a piece called the T-Bar. T-bar is used to hold the pieces together, like the actual connection point. Example:

 

Based on the rope chain, it is likely to be of French design. Double Albert chains started appearing since the 1860's, so I think it is reasonable to assume that your piece (if it indeed is a double albert pocket watch chain) is from between 1860 and perhaps 1920/1930. 

I assume we don't know who the maker is, but my friend told me that that's common if the T bar piece is not included, since the hallmarks would usually be stamped on that particular piece.

 

Hope I'm not way off on this one, but it's cool to do this type of investigation

 

[stefffana]

@ilovesilverireallydo, I have a stupid question:

Do you still have this nice and weird chain?

If yes, I would be interested to buy it. I have in mind an idea and I'd like to try it. 😊

[SilverPunk]

i would say its an Albertina chain very popular in Victorian times!

[stefffana]

1 minute ago, Delphis said:

i would say its an Albertina chain very popular in Victorian times!

Yep. But not a 800g one...😊

[SilverPunk]

4 minutes ago, stefffana said:

Yep. But not a 800g one...😊

800g! didnt see that, its a chunk then, perhaps it for a giant then