✅ SOLVED Among the buttons, this doohicky sees light again.

[stringplucker]

I dug these this past weekend. I'm hoping someone will recognize this odd relic. Its brass with minute pieces of silver plate still on it.
Found in a farmhouse field along with other relics from late 1700's to present. I can't think of anything this could be. Just some type of jewelry? The tiny hole at the bottom in the last pic doesn't go all the way through. Any thoughts on this?

 

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[Joe-Dirt]

I have no idea, sure is fancy though, nice save!!

 

[smokeythecat]

Possibly a broken (expensive) watch or clock winder, but just a guess.

 

[stringplucker]

The 2 holes threw me off when I first dug it. It almost ended up in the trash pouch till the fancy caught my eye. This might be a tough one to nail down. Just hoping a seasoned relic hunter here might know.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Smokeythecat took the words right out of my head.
Likely the remains of an early pocket watch winder key.

Here's one I found a few years ago (c1870), although not near as old as your find.

Dave

 

[ticndig]

looks like a gas lamp part to me

 

[digger dug]

old gas light part

 

[Hawks88]

I agree with gas light part also. Interesting find. Congrats

 

[devldog]

Nice find and Save of the ornate part. It looks like the field is being narrowed down to getting this piece ID'd. It looks as if it could be a part of an old gas lamp by the pic.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Has the shape of an old ornate gas lamp junction, but way smaller than the brass ones I find.

 

[DCMatt]

Possibly a broken (expensive) watch or clock winder, but just a guess.

StC is on the right track - as usual. Georgian era.


It's too small for a gas lamp part IMO.

 

[stringplucker]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. The last pic that DCMatt posted is pretty spot on for the general shape. I consider it solved. It's a watch winder. You guys have impressed me again. I'll have to concentrate in that corner of the field and see what else comes up. I believe one of the holes contained a stone like this example but who knows. It's a cool relic!