Brass? Screw from 200 year old mill site, civil war camp. Rifle or gun screw? Modern?

[MrMarsHill]

Went on a short hunt this afternoon at my old mill/civil war winter camp spot and was digging alot of trash as usual. It is a modern day swimming hole(though people have been swimming there forever) and a waterfall/waterwheel selfie opportunity now.to start, I found this strange "lid" to a container of some sort. It has an interesting design on the front and 2 hinges at the back. Maybe a compact for makeup? Maybe a fishing sinker tin? Help with that is appreciated. It could be a few years old, or 100. I dont know. It's very sturdy and heavy for its size... should I check it for silver content? The whole point of the post though is a small brass or copper screw I found. It just looks old to me, the slot is very strange looking to start. Thin and narrow in the center and wider towards the edges of the slot. The threads, while damaged dont look very modern to me anyway. I'm no pro, and I know it could have had innumerable uses. I know brass was used around water alot because it doesnt rust, maybe this is just a screw from some machine at the mill? The screw doesnt appear to be broken off, just short. The threads are damaged, but still perfectly visible and begin about 1/3rd the way up the post of the screw. There is no point. This screw was found alone, not screwed into wood or anything else and I didn't find anything in the immediate area. The screw appears that it would sit down flush into something, in my opinion anyway. After checking out some old screws, I thought maybe this came from a gun? I have found bullets in this area and there was a civil war camp a stones throw from where I found the screw. The mill was started in the 1700's and kept producing until the 1900's and has been a sort of gathering place for the town since it opened. Lots of people moving around etc. from colonial times right on up to today. Any help is appreciated. I love saving pieces of the old mill(nothing left but the dam, waterwheel and some of the foundation), I have a few heavy old wall hooks and some hand forged items I have found. I would gladly keep the brass screw if it came from the mill as well! I would really be ecstatic if this could be from a gun. Especially civil war era. I'm just not sure if they even used brass screws on guns? That's why I'm asking, lol. I need help. Any info on time period and possible uses would be great. I appreciate ANY opinions and all help is appreciated! FYI, I did check both items with a strong neodymium magnet and neither are ferrous in the least. Happy hunting everybody!

 

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[creskol]

Once upon a time, a young lad was born to a local miller. The problem was, the baby was born without a belly button.
In its place was a brass screw. All the doctors told his mother that there was nothing they could do.

Like it or not, he was stuck with it . . . He was screwed, so to speak!

All the years of growing up were real tough on him, as all who saw the screw made fun of him. He avoided leaving his house . . . And thus, never made any friends.

One day, a mysterious stranger saw his belly and told him of a monk in Tibet who could get rid of the screw for him. He was thrilled.

The next day, he took all of his life's savings and bought a ticket to Nepal.

After several days of climbing up steep cliffs, he came upon a giant monastery. The monk knew exactly why he had come. The screwy guy was told to sleep in the highest tower of the monastery and the following day when he awoke, the screw will have been removed. The man immediately went to the room and fell asleep.

During the night while he slept, a purple fog floated in an open window. In the mist floated a solid brass screwdriver. In just moments, the screwdriver removed the screw and disappeared out the window.

The next morning when the man awoke, he saw the brass screw lying on the pillow next to him. Reaching down, he felt his navel, and there was no screw there! Jubilant, he leaped out of bed . . . . And his butt fell off..

The moral to this is: 'Don't screw around with things you don't understand -- You could lose your ass.'

 

[Anduril]

The head on that screw is known as a Fillister (or cheese) head screw.
It is typically used for counter bored holes.

There is also something called a Flat Fillister, which is the same thing but doesn't have the slight oval top that your's does.

 

[gunsil]

Not from a gun, the slot is merely disfigured from a screwdriver, it was not made that way.

 

[Older The Better]

Brass? Screw from 200 year old mill site, civil war camp. Rifle or gun screw?...

Maybe it’s just because I’ve hung about 10 fans this month but I see a set screw and a busted pull thing at the end of the chain, probably way off, but maybe?

 

[Gambrinus]

I agree with Older The Better, it is a "set screw" and may have come off the machinery used in the mill.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I don't believe it is a gun screw. Looks very much like a screw from a carburetor or fuel pump. Possibly a fuel or air bleed screw (the portion with no threads allows it to stay in the hole as the air is forced out of the line).

Here's a more modern but similar set-up.

 

[Madmox]

Once upon a time, a young lad was born to a local miller. The problem was, the baby was born without a belly button.
In its place was a brass screw. All the doctors told his mother that there was nothing they could do.

Like it or not, he was stuck with it . . . He was screwed, so to speak!

All the years of growing up were real tough on him, as all who saw the screw made fun of him. He avoided leaving his house . . . And thus, never made any friends.

One day, a mysterious stranger saw his belly and told him of a monk in Tibet who could get rid of the screw for him. He was thrilled.

The next day, he took all of his life's savings and bought a ticket to Nepal.

After several days of climbing up steep cliffs, he came upon a giant monastery. The monk knew exactly why he had come. The screwy guy was told to sleep in the highest tower of the monastery and the following day when he awoke, the screw will have been removed. The man immediately went to the room and fell asleep.

During the night while he slept, a purple fog floated in an open window. In the mist floated a solid brass screwdriver. In just moments, the screwdriver removed the screw and disappeared out the window.

The next morning when the man awoke, he saw the brass screw lying on the pillow next to him. Reaching down, he felt his navel, and there was no screw there! Jubilant, he leaped out of bed . . . . And his butt fell off..

The moral to this is: 'Don't screw around with things you don't understand -- You could lose your ass.'

Dead. Love the quote. One of the best book series ever.

 

[MrMarsHill]

Thanks for all the replies! Very fitting quote creskol! I figured it was a long shot to be from a gun, but I'm always hopeful! The screws in the motor look very similar too, could very well be! I am hoping if it isnt from a gun, it came from some machinery at the mill maybe even some type of motor of sorts? I'm saving everything I can from the long gone place... down to nails and screws lol. I just have a deep thing for local history lol! Any ideas on the lid I posted guys? Definitely a lid to a small container of some kind. I just like to know what I've got lol. I really do appreciate every reply! I will be hunting and posting finds from this spot as long as I can get up and hunt! Thanks for the support!

 

[Anduril]

I agree with Older The Better, it is a "set screw" and may have come off the machinery used in the mill.

I didn't mention it before, but my first thought was also that it was a set screw.
I was picturing two pipes (one sliding into the other), and this set screw tightening to lock them into place.
(Hopefully you get that visual.)

 

[MrMarsHill]

@Anduril and @Gambrinus after your opinions and some more research on old mills and equipment, I also agree that this is a set screw of some sort and most likely from the mill. The location would make perfect sense to be from the mill. It was found literally right out front of where the building stood. Luckily I have old pictures to compare with the modern day landscape. I have a picture of this mill on an antique post card, Pre 1910, and there is a rough looking stump sticking out of the ground in front of the mill. Other than the building being gone, even the stump is in exactly the same spot. Obviously a tree stood there, possibly even since the 1700s or earlier. And the ground hasnt been disturbed extremely or anything. It's cool that the stump is still standing and I'm still working on digging ALL the signals near it lol. It just gives an exact reference point to find out where I am hunting in relation to where things were. The foundation that's left doesnt hurt either lol. It's a blessing and a curse that it's been a swimming hole and still is very popular. I get lots of new stuff like the silver and diamond ring I posted on another thread and a few pairs of expensive sunglasses, lots of clad change as well as a HUGE piece of an OLD jug and marked pottery that dates to the early 1700's etc. I cant wait until its warm enough to get INTO the water. I have waders, but my Garrett ACE isnt waterproof! I have a waterproof AT PROpointer though, and it has helped me recover some pretty cool items by itself... including a civil war cannonball(posted on another thread)! I plan to get an AT PRO machine or similar soon. If I find a few more rings and some stuff like that, it will pay for itself. Again, I appreciate the help guys! @creskol I have since told my daughter a version of the story you posted using THIS screw as an example lol. The first version I heard (as a kid) was a gold screw and a different removal method... but the same basic idea. Heard it in scouts long ago,lol! I had forgotten, but it's a fun little goofy story to tell and gives this screw an interesting new life. It's a conversation piece now, lol! I plan to head back to my civil war camp site Sunday or Monday, hopefully I'll be posting some buckles and bullets and buttons and GOLD, lol! It could happen! Wish me luck and happy hunting to all! The mill is only 10 mins from my house, so it's my go to spot any chance I get to hunt. You'll see plenty more of it haha! Here are a pic of the old mill when in use and a modern pic I took from a similar position. Just so you can see what I'm working with here.
It is already and should be a quite productive site, just have to weed through all the junk. Story of my life(our hobby), lol! On a side note, I have FULL permission to hunt this area. If you recognize the site or decide to hunt it some day, I suggest you talk to the town and the police first! I dont mind other hunters, but this is private land when it comes to digging and/or removing items. I hope I get a bunch more cool stuff to show you guys! Let me hit an area with some colonial era relics... they should be right here! I'm sure I've walked over some, or just passed it by lol. If you have any advice on areas I should focus, based on the pics, let me know too! I've been all over this place and have just started to grid it off properly last year. I think it's a good spot, no?