# Are these buckles, clips or what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742 "2015-04-03T20:54:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/1 "2015-04-03T20:54:01Z")
I’m trying to figure out what [these](https://flic.kr/s/aHsk9MMcmU) things are. I came across them in my late mother-in-law’s stuff. They are about 2" long and are marked as sterling silver. The square loops on the back make them look kind of like a set of buckles for belt on a dress, but there is no apparent way to fasten them to each other. Likewise, I can’t figure out how they would function as shoe clips or dress clips. Anybody have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/2 "2015-04-03T20:59:54Z")
I think they are buckles. I have seen a similar thing, and it was a buckle. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/3 "2015-04-03T22:38:55Z")
Maybe they were buckles for a purse or some sort of bag? ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/4 "2015-04-04T03:45:55Z")
Used to hold a hank of hair that is separated from the rest on people with long hair. Usually on the center line in the back. Similar to this. ( Maybe ) [Similar to this.](http://www.longhairgirl.com/dbfile.axd?name=usage_miniclaw4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/5 "2015-04-04T04:31:02Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > Used to hold a hank of hair that is separated from the rest on people with long hair. > > Usually on the center line in the back. > > Similar to this. ( Maybe ) > > [Similar to this.](http://www.longhairgirl.com/dbfile.axd?name=usage_miniclaw4.jpg) Nonsense, the OP’s items clearly aren’t any kind of barrette or hair clip. For one thing, the holes in the metal were intended to permanently fasten it on to something like a belt. My money’s on a buckle or belt/sash clasp, but I too can’t see how it was supposed to fasten. Maybe there was a third piece at one point that connected the two? Three-part buckles were sometimes a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/6 "2015-04-04T04:32:51Z")
They could be vintage cape clasps or fasteners. If so, they would have been connected with a chain fastened permanently to one clasp and with a hook of some sort at the other end which would permit the cape to be closed or opened. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/7 "2015-04-04T06:30:19Z")
> [@Whatever4](#): > > They could be vintage cape clasps or fasteners. If so, they would have been connected with a chain fastened permanently to one clasp and with a hook of some sort at the other end which would permit the cape to be closed or opened. Yeah, I think this is the closest answer. Might have even been for unmentionables (stocking garter/corset or some such). The horizontal clasps almost certainly slid onto some sort of bar affixed to a garment. Not sure what the bottom ring would be for, though. I swear I’ve seen just this sort of thing before. Maybe it will come to me in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/8 "2015-04-04T10:45:49Z")
My instant thought was that they are handles for a drawer. Maybe from a jewelry cabinet or similar high quality piece. Second look says yes too - the bars on the second ones could be label holders - maybe from a tea caddy? - Darjeeling; Assam? ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-buckles-clips-or-what/716742/9 "2015-04-04T21:11:43Z")
I think the mascaron design makes it pretty certain they are intended to be viewed in the vertical position, exactly as in the picture. This would rule out belt buckles/ cape clasps. Buckles for suitcase straps is certainly a possibility. Or perhaps a fancy kind of girth buckles - though I wouldn’t want to ride with them, for fear of tearing my legs. Personally, I would love to use them on my suspenders!