I found this on an 1860s gold rush route

[bcboy]

Hi everyone, I was detecting an area a few days ago that was a gold rush route around the 1860s and my second find is this "what is it find?" relic. I believe its made of brass, it has two boat carvings on it and the top of it is threaded. It is pretty heavy for its size. I have no idea what it is or how old it is. The chinese were in this area in the 1860s so im guessing its chinese oriented because one of the boats carved into it has on its sail a chinese/japanese logo. I think theres something inside as its pretty heavy but theres no movement of anything inside when i shake it and i do not want to try and force it open incase i damage it. My guesss is it might be some kind of gun powder holder and the powder inside has hardened being in there for so many years? Just my guess. If anyone knows what this is i would appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

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[Back-of-the-boat]

That is very cool, could be opium inside also, who knows.Opening it could solve the mystery but I would be nervous about destroying it trying to open it.

 

[vpnavy]

I found a lot of similar Chinese Brass Containers and they all are accessed by twisting off the top. The one's I found weren't threaded - just pushed on. Have you gently tried removing the top (by holding the top below the stem)?

 

[d2]

It appears to be reeded on the bottom. Maybe all you have to do is un-screw it. This is like deja-vu all over again...d2

 

[asrussell96]

Hey that's a cool find...

 

[Tony in SC]

Is there a hole in the small end? Take it apart and take some more pics. It looks like an old oiler/greaser, but I've never seen one so fancy. Tony

 

[DCMatt]

Is there a hole in the small end? Take it apart and take some more pics. It looks like an old oiler/greaser, but I've never seen one so fancy. Tony

It does resemble a hit & miss engine drip oiler. But when installed the images on it would be upside down. And why would it have those images on it anyway?

 

[DCMatt]

Possibly part of a "pigeon lamp"?

 

[hvacker]

The symbol on the boat reminds me of the rising sun. I'm thinking Japan.
A little WD40 over night should loosen it up.
Neat find.

 

[cudamark]

Cool find! I'd get a heavy pair of gloves, dip just the lower section in boiling water for a few seconds, pull it out of the water and hold it over a counter or workbench, and try to pull the lid off.

 

[The Dirt Pirate]

Cool find.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

thought there was already a thread about this item..... Do an image search for "asian tea grinder" and you'll see some that are very similar.

 

[bcboy]

Just a quick update on this item i found, it does have a hole in the top of the threaded piece. I think im going to wd-40 it and over time slowly try and quarter turn it till it eventually unscrews so ill keep you all posted if i can get this thing open and i appreciate all your help. thanks

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I wonder if it could have been some type of print roller?

 

[Peyton Manning]

ok this may sound crazy, but to me, it looks like a pressure valve for a steam radiator