Handle to a needle threader??? The ones available 
today often have a metal foil handle attached to 
a loop of fine wire. I have no particularly firm 
date, but there appear to be patents dating to the early 1900s.

Robert


At  2/10/2016 10:52 AM, you wrote:
>Good morning,
>
>I have this tiny metal object which I thought at first was a spool cap for
>thread, but a sewing historian I contacted didn't think so. It came from an
>archaeological deposit dating from the 1870's-80's. Does anyone know what
>this is:
>
>http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/Linda_Hylkema/media/possible%20spool%20cap_zpsqczqhowh.jpg.html
>
>​Thanks much in advance for your help!​
>
>
>Linda Hylkema, RPA
>*Director, Cultural Resource Management, Santa Clara University*
>W: *408-554-4513 <408-554-4513>* | C: *408-219-5748 <408-219-5748>* | Ricard
>Observatory | 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
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