18th Century Mansion Find Today - Strange looking tool handle of somekind?

[WHK621]

Found this hunting the 18th century mansion today and believe it's a handle of somekind but I can't seem to figure it out. You can see the two holes that appear to support nails holding this on to somekind of tool perhaps. I'm interested to know what it is and possibly how old. The thing that is puzzling is the round knob at the top. Just to let you know, I have been giving individual credit for IDing these items in my findings and presentations to the supporters of the mansion restoration project. It's only fair for the help you folks provide here.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

--Bill--

 

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[jimbob450]

Where are you and what kind of metal is it?

 

[Montana Jim]

Don't care about credit... it's the thrill of the challenge.

The holes are for set screws or nails I'm sure... it looks like a huge finial.

Possibly the bottom of a walking cane?

... or like Gypsy is about to say... flag topper?

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Flag Topper....or like Jim said... cane top.....

 

[WHK621]

Thanks!

Yes, I never thought about a flag topper or cane bottom. Makes sense since the piece is only about 3" long so as to rule out a handle. It looks pretty old, but I'll have to do some research to see if I can spot one in use.

Thanks again for all you speedy help with this.

--Bill--

 

[Montana Jim]

Give it some time... more replies may come in

 

[wildrider]

Not one of those things off a mule harness?

 

[Montana Jim]

Not one of those things off a mule harness?

Too small for that I think... ??

 

[nebstater]

I believe that it is off of an oxen harness.

See photo:

 

[WHK621]

Yes, I agree waiting awhile. I'm not sure about the cane bottom theory as the rounded bottom would tend to be unstable and downright dangerous on a flat smooth surface.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I gotta go with a hame off a draft animal yoke. Ox, horse or goat.

 

[trikikiwi]

Could it be....cover for the tip of an animal horn?

 

[ivan salis]

the metal end of a wooden whip handle .

 

[mojjax]

This pic is from an 1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue :

 

[WHK621]

Wow Mojjax,

This looks pretty convincing! The item I have is slightly flat on top and it is made of a heavier metal than brass, but I'm sure there were variations all over the place back then.

I found this picture of the previous owners son on the web standing near a horse and next to the mansion I'm hunting. I found this item about 20 yards from where they are standing. The date of the Sears catalog appears to support the time period. Last picture is mansion today.

Thanks for going the extra mile! Looks like you've done it again!
--Bill--

 

[Montana Jim]

Well done! I think wildrider nailed that one with a great pic from mojjax -

 

[hogge]

We found the EXACT same thing yesterday. An animal yoke looks like it. Ours is silver coated and very shiney with a 1ft. piece of holed iron attached to it inside. Sorry I have no pics but I can get some upon request. KOOL...we were wondering what this thing was! Thanks for ID on our find too!

 

[ivan salis]

mojaxx well done -- I'm impressed by your research n this item I must say

 

[WHK621]

Yes, I agree.

Mojjax was great on Iding this find. I know the sponsors of the mansion restoration project will be happy to know what this item is. When I told the people at the mansion that I would donate my time to hunt the property and to return all findings to them, (yes any valuable ones too, geez.) that I could not begin to ID many of these items but had a wonderful source of knowledgeable people on this site to help. Please know that by this help, you are really contributing to the great history surrounding this mansion and a wonderful tribute to MDorist everywhere. It's amazing when I showed them how I was going to dig and how unobtrusive it would really be. I think we made believers out of them!

Again, kudos to you Mojjax and everyone else who contributed to this find.

--Bill--

 

[Montana Jim]

Well done! I think wildrider nailed that one with a great pic from mojjax -

Great ID wildrider...