Cone Shaped Object (STG Silver)

[naavieko]

Hi all -- just registered here to see if any of you might be able to help me identify this as it has me stumped. Pulled it out of a creek in the rainforest (Far North Queensland, Australia) which I believe may have been briefly worked by miners (alluvial gold) a long time ago.

Curious to know what it might be and also if possible how old it could be. The text engraving says "STG Silver".







Cheers!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Canada naavieko!
You didn't mention the dimensions, but my first thought was a sterling silver musical instrument mouthpiece.
My 16 year old daughter plays in a number of bands, this is what made me think of a 'mouthpiece'.

Here are a few pics of vintage french horn mouthpieces and a Georgian Period Vinaigrette of similar shape.
Dave

 

[naavieko]

Hey thanks Antiquarian, and yes sorry completely forgot to add to my post... it's only around 20mm in length, large opening about 10mm diameter, small end about 5mm. Guessing too small to be a mouthpiece musical instrument but a member of another forum guessed a cigarette mouthpiece which I think might be the best guess so far. Haven't had any luck finding a match in google images but if it's old and not a very common/popular piece that'd be no big surprise as there are a lot of different ones out there.

 

[invent4hir]

Hi and welcome to TNet. STG Silver is an abbreviation for sterling silver. As to ID, first thought was brass instrument mouthpiece also - but at 20 mm - I agree seems too short. Can't tell if the spiral indentation is for decoration or function. One theory is that the small end of the find was inserted into something (a hose?) and pushed in until seated against the large end. But why make it of sterling?

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very interesting piece!

 

[DCMatt]

Hey thanks Antiquarian, and yes sorry completely forgot to add to my post... it's only around 20mm in length, large opening about 10mm diameter, small end about 5mm. Guessing too small to be a mouthpiece musical instrument but a member of another forum guessed a cigarette mouthpiece which I think might be the best guess so far. Haven't had any luck finding a match in google images but if it's old and not a very common/popular piece that'd be no big surprise as there are a lot of different ones out there.

I believe you are correct. Cigarette hold - or the tip of one. These were very popular in the early to mid 20th C.


1925

 

[mojjax]

maybe a mouthpiece for smoking a cigar ?

 

[naavieko]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Especially after seeing the image DCMatt posted I'm pretty convinced it's the mouthpiece/tip for a cigarette hold. Dimensions look pretty much spot on and is the only thing that makes sense to me.

What do you guys/gals suggest I use to clean off the oxidization and get it looking like silver again? I've got a few cleaning chemicals in the laundry which might do it.

 

[cudamark]

I'd put it in the end of an inverted aluminum can and soak it in some vinegar for a couple of hours. Then rub it all over with some baking soda before rinsing it all off. Repeat as necessary.

 

[A2coins]

My fist thought also

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet

 

[laralucine]

I agree with the rest - first thought was cigarette holder (or hookah mouthpiece - people would carry their own and attach them to the hose). Cool find

 

[Hawks88]

I agree with mouth piece for a smoking device. Nice save,

 

[Icewing]

The best silver polish ever.


*Acids like vinegar will turn it black, I wouldn't reccomend that for silver.

 

[Reanm8er]

Welcome Naavieko, great save! I'm on board with the smoking aspect.

You might check out the jewelry process known as pickling. Sometimes when you make a casting
in silver the piece will darken too quickly. Using this process will cure it indefinitely. A mini
crockpot works well for this. Common here in thrift shops, holds a bowl of soup + -.

Use only white/distilled vinegar.

Best wishes!

Say Matt, is that FDRs sister, LOL.

 

[naavieko]

Thanks again everyone for the input!

Just an update, thanks to some great investigative work by one of the members on the other forum I'm apart of (ProspectingAustralia.com.au) -- we think we have a possible manufacturer and also the model/range.

Introducing the "Dunhill Torpedo" (art deco vintage bakelite long elegant cigarette holder):


The few old auctions for them that found had them made at around 1919.

The only difference to mine though being mine tapers down to a point and then the small neck extends out at a consistent diameter... whereas the Dunhill Torpedos taper down right to the tip. Perhaps mine was an early prototype, or a cheap copy? I wonder is Dunhill still in operation? Could try my luck at emailing them and seeing if I can get a proper confirmation just to satisfy my curiosity.