✅ SOLVED Knuckleduster

[smittyman]

I found this item at an old homesite where mid 1800's coins have said to be found. Near a small town pretty much in the middle of the Carolinas. I'm told that it could be knuckle dusters (forerunner of modern brass knuckles). Made of lead. They do fit in the palm of the hand although a bit small. They're obviously handmade - possibly Civil War camp made. 2nd opinions? Other ideas?

 

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[Breezie]

Your lead item looks like a 'mammy made' version of brass knuckles. As far as the size is concerned, people were smaller/shorter during that time than they are now. Here's a site with some history:
Brass Knuckles History

Welcome to the forum! Breezie

 

[nhbenz]

I agree that's what it must be, I've just never seen 'em with the protruding portion shown in the second photo, which seems like it would interfere with fitting in one's palm?

 

[taz42o]

That is the remains of a crows foot battery electrode. They are made of zinc.

 

[Breezie]

That is the remains of a crows foot battery electrode. They are made of zinc.

Taz, were those crows foot battery electrodes machine made? All the ones I saw on the Internet were flat on the bottom. Do you think the one he found is 'homemade' since it is lumpy? Breezie

 

[taz42o]

Taz, were those crows foot battery electrodes machine made? All the ones I saw on the Internet were flat on the bottom. Do you think the one he found is 'homemade' since it is lumpy? Breezie

They are not machine made they are cast in a mold. The lumpy shape is due to galvanic corrosion. They basically dissolve.

 

[JimDon]

I thought this was homemade set of knuckles. Regarding the protrusion, my theory was that the protrusion had a spike set in it. It would have made one hell of a weapon.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Taz is correct. Here is a better pic of a new one before it dissolved. It hung on the side of the glass jar and a wire was connected to it. These batteries were used by the railroads in remote locations where electric was not available. Im marking this solved.