Posted 6 years ago
AnythingOb…
(1778 items)
Picked up this little (unpriced) 'loose item' from a table in the garage at an estate sale today. Asked the guy watching the garage how much it was, he answered: "ask the ladies at the checkout table inside, that's not my call". <lol> And by the time I looked around inside, found a couple more items to buy, and made my way to said checkout table -- said ladies answered the same 'how much' question with: "oh...what's that thing...I don't know...how about free?" **SOLD**!!! ;-) :-) :-) :-)
SO does anybody here have a clue what the little thing actually IS?? Physically it is a small [pictured with a quarter coin for size reference] stamped brass holder with rolled/folded edges on 3 sides, containing a paper tag w/clear plastic cover held in place with a brass eyelet, which holds the paper/plastic captive. Nicely stamped WESTINGHOUSE ELEC. CORP. logo on its back, the paper tag further identifies BUFFALO DIVISIONS.
My own first guesses were maybe something first used in a/the factory itself, for 'quality control' or whatever....further thoughts more along the lines of an ID tag once attached to some part of a piece of Westinghouse equipment. A little looking around the internets shows that Westinghouse had large factory operations in Buffalo (NY) from the early 1940's until mid 1980's, producing a wide range of things. Beyond that I don't have any idea...??
I'd like to believe this was Nikola Tesla's ID badge he wore after Westinghouse got the contract to generate and develop electric power at Niagra Falls around the turn of the century. Very cool item.
Badge # 1 would be for Tesla as my theory continues...
More likely it's a tool check or "chit"