I wonder if anyone can give me a clue to where start looking for information on my necklace. It is an unusual item. Here are some features:
30" in length
1.75lbs in weight
The majority of the beads are belled silver coins
Barrel shaped Turquoise beads
Seven (7) firearm triggers used as squash blossoms
Maker’s Mark is D
My Dad found this necklace at an antique mall shop in Tucson, AZ. He had told me that it belonged to an old man that had a little stand of stuff for sale. The old man told my Dad that the necklace was made by an individual from the Pascua Yaqui tribe. He had told my Dad that it was supposed to be a veteran fighter from the Indian Wars battle early in the 1900’s. Supposedly, the triggers came from revolvers belonging to US soldiers. There is a Maker’s Mark of “D”. That is really all I know. I don’t know anything but, what I was told. All that I can say about it is that the way it was made and the beads used, show’s that it was made quite a long time ago. It would be cool if it did have that history.
Unique necklace and a cool story. Coin beads are not really a good way to date a necklace as they can be made at any time. So you must be careful as some people use old coins to give the appearance of great age. The barrel beads look to me (only my opinion) to be chinese turquoise, and if that is the case you are talking about the 1980s. Triggers are available easily. I am not trying to burst your bubble, I am just vey wary of the stories some use to sell items.I will say that I find the design unique and interesting and would have no problem with being given that necklace. Please know that this is only my opinion and I could be completely wrong with my assessment
You are absolutely right. To be totally honest, I am asking for help so that I may decide if I’m going to wear it or put it away for safe keeping. I wish I knew where in Tucson it is. And I say that because my dad is not sure if it was Tucson. My Grandpa lived in Bisbee, AZ. So, we were down there quite a bit. I appreciate your information and yes, I want to be cautious. But, like I said, I want to find out if I can wear this necklace as one of my daily gear. I have lost a lot of squash blossoms while tiding my motorcycle. It stinks when you get there and you have a lap full of beads. LOL
I actually think it’s incredibly cool/funky for a biker look. Not a “squash blossom necklace,” of course, and the tall tale accompanying it you wouldn’t want to analyze too closely (eg., the hallmarking and mishmash point to “recent,” probably 60s-70s ish).
I would wear it. It’s a very cool and unique piece. Just put it on when you get to where you are going. Having a bike as my only transportation for a good number of years, I can relate to things getting broken or lost
Enjoy your interesting piece. It’s not confirmed here, though, that this is Native American jewelry (it would be a problem to sell it that way, e.g.) nor even that it’s the work of one person.
My Dad gave me this so, I will have it with me until I no long3er need it and it will then go to one of my children. I would never think of selling it for any proce.
In my opinion this is a great Hippy/Biker/Art piece. I love how the triggers replicate the look of " bear Claw" jewelry.
1 3/4 lbs- now that’s a serious wear!
Many consider the Chief Joseph ( " I will fight no more forever" ) New Perce battle of 1877, and the Wounded Knee Battle (1890) to be among the last "Indian Wars “. This piece is very much later than those.
It does not have a Native aesthetic from my point of view, but none the less is dynamic and unique. The " Memory Ware” of necklaces.
Great piece @JohnnyNine. Sounds like you ride without a windscreen. I would restring on small gauge steel braided jewelry cable (looks like it might already be on cable but much of the standard cable lacks sufficient tensile strength for hard use).
That’s a great idea! Thank you! you, no windscreen on the bike. Attached is a list of gauged wire. Which one would you recommend, with the weight of my necklace? Please let me know.
i think what you need is to have it restrung on foxtail, which is common for squash blossoms. I suggest sterling. If you don’t have anyone local to have this done for you, i recommend Perry Null Trading in Gallup NM.
You will need to know the smallest diameter hole bead to determine if this is feasible and will dictate the max cable diameter you could use.
Beadalon makes stainless braided bead stringing wire. You will need to contact them for load bearing specs.
Off hand, a 1mm cable typically has a 15Kg load bearing. Amazon sells a 1/32” cable with 100Lb load bearing. There will be a trade off on how flexible the necklace would be.
Unfortunately this might take some experimenting. And if you wear it often, the steel will cut into the turquoise and silver. Not a perfect solution.
