Is this a General’s Tassel

[Michaelr]

Good morning all and thank you in advance. I understand that it is sometimes hard to tell from a picture and even harder to tell from only two pictures but hopefully someone can help. A friend of mine sent me these two pictures of what he believes is a General’s Tassel. It is not in great shape and maybe just really faded but I haven’t had one to compare. Most of the pictures I have seen the Gold zig-zag pattern is visible on both sides and much more pronounced. Also the fringe on the end appear to be more of a cream color rather than Gold ( just faded? ). What are your thoughts? Thank you. 
  MikeR

[dwmc]

Yes, very worn General's tassel!

 

Dave M.

[Michaelr]

Thank you Dave

     MikeR

[PNSSHOGUN]

Absolutely, did he find it on a sword? 

[Michaelr]

Thank you John. No it wasn’t on a sword just in a little box with a glass lid. It was in Florida   

  MikeR

[DTM72]

Although it is in "well used" condition, it would still sell if it were to be put into the sales section. 

[Austo1]

I have always had my doubts about these types of generals tassels with the Light Beige Tassels instead of the traditional yellow gold color.

The tassels are Not Faded, they are a distinct Light beige Color.

I myself purchased one of these types of generals Tassels sight unseen some 35 years ago, also from a collector in Florida.

The odd one has popped up over the years however i have always had my doubts that they are original.

 

Doug

[PNSSHOGUN]

That is rather intriguing Doug, do you have any pictures to compare these? The wear on the OP's tassel is consistent with having been on a sword for some time.

[Austo1]

Hi John

 

No pictures because i got rid of it.

Wear can be created. I have heard of fellows throwing replica tassels up on their roof for a month to age them and its easy to pull apart thread to create wear.

I'm not saying that the tassel is a fake, its just that the color creates doubt.

I never seen a color pics of any general with one of this type but who knows..........

 

Doug

[Bruce Pennington]

1 hour ago, Austo1 said:

distinct Light beige Color.

 

14 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

The wear on the OP's tassel is consistent with having been on a sword for some time.

I haven't commented yet, because I'm no expert on tassels, but I was wondering about the tan/beige as well.  It didn't look like a faded color, but original.  Yet, like John, the thing overall does appear to have real wear/tear.  On the other hand, the tassel itself seems new compared to the rest of the strap.  Quite peculiar.

[dwmc]

11 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

 

I haven't commented yet, because I'm no expert on tassels, but I was wondering about the tan/beige as well.  It didn't look like a faded color, but original.  Yet, like John, the thing overall does appear to have real wear/tear.  On the other hand, the tassel itself seems new compared to the rest of the strap.  Quite peculiar.

Good point Bruce, the strands do appear unusually pristine compared to the rest of the tassel, yet I do notice damage to the (ball) on one side.

 Although, I can say this with reasonable certainty, color of tassels in photographs is almost never exact, and can be extremely deceiving. 

 

Dave M.

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, dwmc said:

Although, I can say this with reasonable certainty, color of tassels in photographs is almost never exact, and can be extremely deceiving. 

Good point.  I have seen surprising tricks the lights can play on a photo.