WWII handmade kilt pin? Has anyone seen one like this before?

[chotii]

Hi there. I'm new.

I found this pin in the woman's kilted skirt shown (just an inexpensive 100% wool out of Canada) in a thrift store. The pin caught my eye because it appears to be wrought brass. My mother-in-law, who is Ulster Scots, says it looks to her like WWII vintage, a kind of 'found art' item such as they had to make during the war years from bits of wire. Have any of you see something like this before? The point is very dull, and instead of one loop to create springiness at the end, there are two.

Thank you kindly,

--chotii

[Chas]

Hello chotii and Welcome,

Such items are becoming popular again - I suppose a case of fashion going in circles.

It would be interesting to find out the story behind it.

Regards

Chas

[Father Bill]

No comments on your interesting pin, but welcome to the "Great Rabble!"
I'd bet that somebody here will hjave some information for you pretty soon!

[Spartan Tartan]

It is an interesting piece. I have not seen one like it before. Very nice find.

And

[Friday]

Welcome to the group and that is a very interesting pin.

[TheOfficialBren]

Hey! Cool pin.

[Nile]

Hi Chotii, and welcome to X Marks from Delaware. You have a unique find there, obviously hand made but, of interesting craftsmanship.

Nile

[JohntheBiker]

Nothing to add on the kilt pin, but welcome from Toronto.

[Sir Didymous]

I've made some similar pieces back when I was learning how to work wire for jewelry and such, but nothing so elaborate. I don't know for certain but the double loop may be to increase springiness. Brass doesn't tend to have much bounce and while playing with some galvanized steel (also known for a lack of bounce) I found that doubling the loop increases the spring. The twisting was done through heating (with brass wire that can be done with a candle or oil lamp) and twisting first in one direction, dowsing it to harden and then reheating in a different area and twisting in a different direction. The hook end was likely done by heating, flattening the end with a small hammer, and splitting it with a sharp knife. The way the hook end is curled has my attentinon. It looks very tight for a non-professional folk artist. Not impossible, but very good work.
Hope this helps and welcome to the rabble.

[tulloch]

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts. Very interesting piece of someone's life. A great example of how people 'made do' in hard times. An example to us worth noting. Thanks.