Unknown item - snaffle bit?

[drdavid]

Without knowing the size this is a bit of a guess but perhaps a chatelaine (so Richard's guess not far off)
Drd

[Sajen]

Thank you Richard and Drd,

Maybe you both on a correct path, a friend suggested that it could be a necklace from a priest to wear a big cross.

Regards,
Detlef

[kahnjar1]

If we knew how big this is it may help. Obviously the "key" is designed to be able to rotate for some reason. If the size is right maybe it could be a chain for a fob watch.
Stu

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

If we knew how big this is it may help. Obviously the "key" is designed to be able to rotate for some reason. If the size is right maybe it could be a chain for a fob watch.
Stu

Hi Stu, you are correct, the "key" is designed to rotate. But on the other hand it's heavy with 377 gram. It's approx. 42 cm long, see picture.

Regards,
Detlef

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Stu, you are correct, the "key" is designed to rotate. But on the other hand it's heavy with 377 gram. It's approx. 42 cm long, see picture.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef,
So it is obviously too long (and heavy) to be a Fob Watch chain. If, as has been suggested, that it is some kind of necklace, why the necessity for the "revolving key"? It does not seem logical to me for the need of this even if something heavy was to be hung on it. I could be quite wrong here but that is just my thoughts.
Stu

[JoeCanada42]

Part of a fancy dog leash,
the rotating part so the dog cant twist the chain as to build up tension and snap it?
or a key chain collar for a well trained guard dog like in the movies..

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JoeCanada42

Part of a fancy dog leash,
the rotating part so the dog cant twist the chain as to build up tension and snap it?
or a key chain collar for a well trained guard dog like in the movies..

Thank you for your interesting thoughts!

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Detlef,
So it is obviously too long (and heavy) to be a Fob Watch chain. If, as has been suggested, that it is some kind of necklace, why the necessity for the "revolving key"? It does not seem logical to me for the need of this even if something heavy was to be hung on it. I could be quite wrong here but that is just my thoughts.
Stu

Hi Detlef,
Just another thought about this item.
It could (maybe) be a neck chain used by some well to do person for leading a horse or some other animal. The chain would go over the head and around the neck, unlike a snaffle bit which goes in the mouth. Then a halter is attached to the "key" to lead the animal. As has been said elsewhere, this item appears quite old so we may never know exactly what it was used for. Could possibly be of Middle Eastern origin???
Stu

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Detlef,
Just another thought about this item.
It could (maybe) be a neck chain used by some well to do person for leading a horse or some other animal. The chain would go over the head and around the neck, unlike a snaffle bit which goes in the mouth. Then a halter is attached to the "key" to lead the animal. As has been said elsewhere, this item appears quite old so we may never know exactly what it was used for. Could possibly be of Middle Eastern origin???
Stu

Another interesting view on it. This would make sense and would explain why the "key" can rotate. And yes, I also think that it could be of Middle Eastern origin. Thank you Stu for your thoughtful comment!

Regards,
Detlef