1860's thingy?

[Gunner3791]

I am posting this because I really haven't been able to figure it out on my own. I thought I would throw it out there and see what the patrons of Treasure Net might think it is. It appears to be a dispensing valve or a way of sealing something. The "spring" is non ferrous and is pretty darn rigid. My initial thoughts were possibly a part from a gun. Let me know what you guys think! It was found in a 1860's Eastern California gold mining camp. Not in "Gold Country" of California.

 

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[smokeythecat]

Is that part to an old telegraph? I've seen it before...somewhere.

 

[Gunner3791]

I don't believe they had telegraph in that area at that time. The county I found it in had its very first house in 1865 and the camp I found it in is around the same time. There went enough people at that time to justify a telegraph.

 

[smokeythecat]

The other thing I thought of was an old piece to a valve assembly on an infernal combustion engine. I know I've seen these somewhere...

Valve assembly - that's it! Boy I'm getting old. It is a key to a clarinet or saxophone. One of the pieces you press down when making a note. Some of the keys are naturally open and I believe some are naturally closed.

And I used to play a clarinet - over 45 years ago!

 

[slowtruk]

Possibly a brass or woodwind instrument key.

 

[Fourman110]

Im with slowtruck. Either a spit valve for brass instrument or woodwind key.

 

[Harrison]

Looks like a flute key of some sort. Some kind of instrument valve.

 

[Idahodutch]

The other thing I thought of was an old piece to a valve assembly on an infernal combustion engine. I know I've seen these somewhere...

Valve assembly - that's it! Boy I'm getting old. It is a key to a clarinet or saxophone. One of the pieces you press down when making a note. Some of the keys are naturally open and I believe some are naturally closed.

And I used to play a clarinet - over 45 years ago!

I played at alto sax for a few years, back in elementary school. Looks like it could be from some sort of saxophone

 

[nkellam22]

Look at the water key on this photo of a trumpet.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tru...ECA4QAw&biw=1401&bih=636#imgrc=s08by0dvv9NROM

 

[ARC]

Spit Valve ?

 

[Toecutter]

Spit valve..

 

[Tony in SC]

I thought rocker arm for a hit & miss engine but all I've seen are cast iron. I think instrument key.

The other thing I thought of was an old piece to a valve assembly on an infernal combustion engine. I know I've seen these somewhere...

Valve assembly - that's it! Boy I'm getting old. It is a key to a clarinet or saxophone. One of the pieces you press down when making a note. Some of the keys are naturally open and I believe some are naturally closed.

And I used to play a clarinet - over 45 years ago!

 

[Tpmetal]

for sure spit valve or instrument key

 

[GoldieLocks]

*Ha, I was going to say,"It looks like the tiniest ice cream scoop in the world!"

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think its solved