Lamp Finial, Cutting Tool, or Something Else?

[cjdamman]

I found this brass object measure that measures about 1.5 x 4 cm in the back yard of a house built in 1906. The cylindrical end is threaded and the blade end is snapped off or cut with force. There is a rivet connecting the blade end to the cylindrical end and it is possible (although I'm not certain) this could have served as a pivot joint. The pieces don't pivot currently. Neither edge of the blade is sharp although one side is slightly beveled and I can't tell whether this is due to the damage or whether this is the intentional design of the object. I have searched the internet high and low for images of brass objects with various terms without success. Maybe someone has seen one of these before?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[tamrock]

My vote is for old lamp 'finial' seems the design of these things are endless.

 

[cjdamman]

Here are some more pictures.

 

[cjdamman]

On closer inspection the blade part is probably iron or steel, but the bottom cylindrical part is definitely brass. Look forward to others' thoughts.

 

[tamrock]

Look'n at it in your fingers it does seem a bit large for a lamp finial. I can't see a blade fixed in that way with just one pin holding on to it. It seems the flat piece may have a pivot for some reason or the other. I guess if someone finds a photo of that item and what it was intended to do we'll have it solved.

 

[cudamark]

On closer inspection the blade part is probably iron or steel, but the bottom cylindrical part is definitely brass. Look forward to others' thoughts.

doesn't look like steel.....put a magnet on it to tell.

 

[cjdamman]

Look'n at it in your fingers it does seem a bit large for a lamp finial. I can't see a blade fixed in that way with just one pin holding on to it. It seems the flat piece may have a pivot for some reason or the other. I guess if someone finds a photo of that item and what it was intended to do we'll have it solved.

Great Idea! Not magnetic...my best guess up to this point is a pruning knife, but curious to know if there are other thoughts out there.

 

[ARC]

I know this part but am blank...
I saw this before and also thought lamp finial but now after these pics I recant that.

This is either part of scale arm or part of some knife imo.

Will look.

 

[ARC]

After looking at hanging beam scale parts I do not see anything similar.
So...
A mystery item it remains at this point.

 

[bradyboy]

It sure looks like the handle / thumb tab is broken off
Loos like its meant to shut something on and off
maybe a gas key?
Brady

 

[cjdamman]

After doing more Google image searches, my best guess up to this point is a "bean hook" or "billhook" gardening tool. What do folks think?

 

[Ant]

I sort of remember those cheap cutters back in the 60's-70's when we went from solid tools to inexpensive throwaways. You can see that it was used as a tool by the way it is damaged. That damage is what brings back the memories, damage either caused by.inferior construction or when the tool was used wrongly

 

[Crappies-n-Coins]

Just a guess, but looks to me like some type of linkage. I'd 1st thought about a trip lever for tub, sink, toilet, but it seems to be a bit on the large side for that. The flat piece (obviously) was longer, and probably had a hole in it for another pivot point, and (lol, again, obviously) a linkage rod threaded into the round clevis. Another linkage was attached to the (missing) other end of the flat part, and engaged/disengaged something when the lever was thrown.

 

[vhs07]

After doing more Google image searches, my best guess up to this point is a "bean hook" or "billhook" gardening tool. What do folks think?

The "blade" part of your piece is brass, so it's very unlikely it was a cutting tool. Plus, yours was made to pivot. I think Crappies-n-Coins is on the right track.

 

[cjdamman]

Just a guess, but looks to me like some type of linkage. I'd 1st thought about a trip lever for tub, sink, toilet, but it seems to be a bit on the large side for that. The flat piece (obviously) was longer, and probably had a hole in it for another pivot point, and (lol, again, obviously) a linkage rod threaded into the round clevis. Another linkage was attached to the (missing) other end of the flat part, and engaged/disengaged something when the lever was thrown.

Crappies-n-Coins. Thanks for the great suggestion. Could definitely explain why it's all brass and why there is a pivot point I have searched the web for pictures of vintage linkages but have come up empty handed. Just modern ones like this. Perhaps another forum member would be more successful finding a picture?

Another thought I had was a brass fruit knife like this picture, but perhaps one that folds.

The mystery remains...