The alteration probably negated any historic value it may have had
A picture of the mark may help
This is an ambro. It has similar crystal growth to yours. [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH]
I just pulled apart a photo with similar tinting around the edges. It is a tintype. I don't know why you couldn't have loss of the coating on a...
By the materials, I would guess some sort of darning tool
The toning around the edges is a daguerreotype characteristic.
Well, patented in 1935 means it's after that. They probably would have dropped the date after twenty years or so.
Sometimes it's nice to have your lap to yourself.
with no maker's help [ATTACH]
[IMG]
That is 'Kitten' [IMG]
I found it. 271st Field Artillery Bn. [IMG]
Maybe this is the stars. [IMG]
I found a long PDF list for US Army mottoes. Says it's 77th Field Artillery Battalion....
[ATTACH] [ATTACH] The patent date is old, but these were still around at least through the eighties.
Unit crests? [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] No maker's marks
I got the scanner working [ATTACH] The white areas were blocked with paper. Apparently that is how it was done before photoshop.
[ATTACH] But if you can find someone to take these new dollars, maybe you can unload your gas station tokens at a buck each too.
They are still in printing
That stamp would be a rather new thing. No older than the '70s.
Separate names with a comma.