12-16-2008, 03:25 AM
I can only guess that initially it has been converted to some sort of pinback device (you can still see a rectangular shadow on the reverse), which has obviously failed long time ago. The nut and pewter solder on it were quite possibly holding some sort of replacement pin, which got broken off. Eventually, the owner had drilled a hole through the top hand of the star. Maybe it was even sewn on to his coat or something. The ring looks like the most recent repair to it.
Alexei
Alexei











