1700's Pewter Button or Something Else?

[FreeBirdTim]

Found this pewter relic today, but I'm not sure if it's a button. The shank is broken off and the back is kind of odd shaped for a button. There's a mold seam on it, so if it is a button, it's probably pre-1750. It's only 5/8" in diameter, so maybe a cuff button? Let me know what you think.

 

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[relic lover]

Looks more like some sort of finial

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[ARC]

Knob off an AC Delco car stereo... sold at K-Mart.

:P

J/k ... no idea.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I don't think it's a finial. Most finials are made of brass or steel and are usually round or acorn shaped. Guess I'll have to do more research on this one!

 

[SkaBa]

Looks like a broken off 'pull knob' of some sort.

What was the context of the find?

 

[SkaBa]

If pewter, maybe the knob off of the top of a Tankard?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Good guess, SkaBa! You may be on to something there. My Google image search for a colonial flagon (another word for tankard) came up with a lot of items with similar knobs on top on them. Can't find an exact match, but you may be correct on this one.

 

[Joe hunter]

Doesn't it seem small for a knob

 

[Carolina Tom]

Drawer pull... the knob from a drawer is what that is!

Tapered shaft is the give-away.

 

[DownNDirty]

Drawer pull... the knob from a drawer is what that is!

Tapered shaft is the give-away.

That was my guess as well

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I have to disagree that it is a drawer-pull. The digger didn't give us a size measurement, but comparing the size of his fingers in the photo with the cast pewter object, it's awfully small for a drawer-pull. Also, a drawer-pull typically does not show a mold-seam on its front. I think it is the finial from a British-made soldier's leather cartridge box, or similar (possibly Civilian) "flapped" container.

 

[Joe hunter]

I agree like from a satchel maybe a mailbag or the like

 

[CRUSADER]

I have to disagree that it is a drawer-pull. The digger didn't give us a size measurement, but comparing the size of his fingers in the photo with the cast pewter object, it's awfully small for a drawer-pull. Also, a drawer-pull typically does not show a mold-seam on its front. I think it is the finial from a British-made soldier's leather cartridge box, or similar (possibly Civilian) "flapped" container.

I've seen much smaller drawer knobs so you can't discount based on size, some drawers are tiny. How about ones qrter of that size for doll houses. Plenty of reasons why it could be that size.
That being said, it maybe from the lid of a tobacco tin/box.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Drawer pull... the knob from a drawer is what that is!

I think it's too small for a drawer pull. Hard to imagine it having a hole in the middle to accommodate a threaded screw. Also hard to imagine a screw with a diameter that small.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I have to disagree that it is a drawer-pull. The digger didn't give us a size measurement, but comparing the size of his fingers in the photo with the cast pewter object, it's awfully small for a drawer-pull. Also, a drawer-pull typically does not show a mold-seam on its front. I think it is the finial from a British-made soldier's leather cartridge box, or similar (possibly Civilian) "flapped" container.

Interesting possibility! Sorry I didn't state the size of the object. Here's a photo of it next to a dime. VERY small relic!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Here's a Rev War cartridge box currently on eBay. It does have something similar to my relic on it:

John Dewey signed Revolutionary War Cartridge Box and Britches | eBay

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Here's a closeup of the finial (or whatever it is) from that listing.

 

[CRUSADER]

What do you think the rust stain is?

 

[Silver Searcher]

It's a drawer pull as Crusader said, probably from a small set of drawers that went on top off a bigger furniture piece. Found loads.

SS

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Sorry, but I'm going to disagree with the guys across the pond. No way would anyone make a pewter drawer pull that small. It would be impossible to make threads in it and almost as impossible to make a screw that would fit it. And even if you could, it would break almost immediately.

Why would someone make a tiny drawer pull out of a soft metal such as pewter? If you really wanted a drawer pull that small, you'd make it out of brass or cast iron. Just my take on it...