cold harbor cloverleaf item

[diggervet]

HI everybody, I hope someone can ID this item. It was dug in Cold Harbor, Va. on private property with the landowners permission. It was found in an area known to have been occupied by the Union Second Corps whose ID was a three leaf clover. This is a brass item and has no internal threads
and the three leaf pattern appears to have been hand cut. Hope somebody comes up with an answer!

 

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[HutSiteDigger]

John - if know one can I'd it, I will show It to my friend nick Harris, I'm sure he will know... I am just taking a very wild guess but, maybe the bottom was sealed off with like a wooden seal then you could pour ink into it and use it for like a stamp symbol for like a letterhead or something then there would be a second piece shaped like the clover and you would press down on it and create a clover symbol.. That is a wild guess - I really don't know ..just that like you said the 2nd corp had clover leaf symbol.... Give me a ring sometime soon so we can get up.

 

[Ruchman]

Reminds me of an old chisel ferrule? I had some old wood turning tools at one time with a similar looking end? All my newer ones are open on all the way on both ends. Just a guess, hope someone can ID.

 

[diggervet]

John - if know one can I'd it, I will show It to my friend nick Harris, I'm sure he will know... I am just taking a very wild guess but, maybe the bottom was sealed off with like a wooden seal then you could pour ink into it and use it for like a stamp symbol for like a letterhead or something then there would be a second piece shaped like the clover and you would press down on it and create a clover symbol.. That is a wild guess - I really don't know ..just that like you said the 2nd corp had clover leaf symbol.... Give me a ring sometime soon so we can get up.

That' he same thing several people have said with regard to it perhaps being a wax seal for letters!

 

[creskol]

Reminds me of an old chisel ferrule? I had some old wood turning tools at one time with a similar looking end? All my newer ones are open on all the way on both ends. Just a guess, hope someone can ID.

That's what I am thinking, too ... a tang ferrule off of something.

 

[maxpower]

looks like a brake spring retainer

 

[CRUSADER]

Easy one, its the top of a barrel tap. The hole is the shape of the key they used to turn the tap on & off.

 

[CRUSADER]

UK Finds Database - - - UKDFD
Proper name - 'Barrel-tap keyhole sleeve'

Here is a key that they used:
UK Finds Database - - - UKDFD

 

[TomPA]

Agree with CRUSADER on this. I think this might be the same one I saw (and made an ID on) in the last issue of American Digger magazine.
Good to get a second opinion as always.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

The fact that the barrel-tap key at Crusader's second link (UK Finds Database - - - UKDFD) is the very same shape (and size) as the hole in Diggervet's find nails its ID conclusively.

Well done, Crusader! [applause]

 

[scoremaster]

heck you guys out guessed me i was thinking an old time playdo mold lol.

great find and good item discripting fellas ,
Scott

 

[diggervet]

UK Finds Database - - - UKDFD
Proper name - 'Barrel-tap keyhole sleeve'

Here is a key that they used:
UK Finds Database - - - UKDFD

Thank you Crusader for your input on this item! I dug this over a year ago and have wondered about its function/purpose since. Having not lived In the nineteenth century, I'm not familiar with barrel tap keyhole sleeves. Could you clarify their function/purpose? Thanks again for your help!

 

[CRUSADER]

Thank you Crusader for your input on this item! I dug this over a year ago and have wondered about its function/purpose since. Having not lived In the nineteenth century, I'm not familiar with barrel tap keyhole sleeves. Could you clarify their function/purpose? Thanks again for your help!

The barrel tap was to control the flow of liquid from a cider or beer barrel. You banged the tap in with a hammer & only those with the key controlled the cider/beer. That's why they had several different keys. Only those in charge could administer the rations. It was not unusual in this period for the farm workers to have a liquid lunch out in the field in the shade of a tree.

 

[Silver Searcher]

The barrel tap was to control the flow of liquid from a cider or beer barrel. You banged the tap in with a hammer & only those with the key controlled the cider/beer. That's why they had several different keys. Only those in charge could administer the rations. It was not unusual in this period for the farm workers to have a liquid lunch out in the field in the shade of a tree.

Even the Children drank the Beer, it was much safer to drink than the local water supply...hic

SS