Lead, Pewter, or Tombac Item

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

I found the first one of these things in an antebellum site here in Southern Louisiana a couple weeks ago. The second one I just dug at another antebellum site. Any time I dig more than one identical whatzits in old sites, I start to wonder what they are. The outside is theaded, but the inside is smooth. These remind me of the tombac powder can lids I have found, but they are too big. I am seeking help especially from kuger, Ironman, and others who are really familiary with the 1850s relics. Any clue, anyone?

 

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[timekiller]

Looks like a housing oil plug for a model T/A or old tractor.Be my thought's man.Looks more like brass to me also.
Take Care,
Pete,
Model T housing oil plug - Google Search

 

[BuckleBoy]

Looks like a housing oil plug for a model T/A or old tractor.Be my thought's man.Looks more like brass to me also.
Take Care,
Pete,
Model T housing oil plug - Google Search

Really good guess. I am trying to find a site that lists the measurements of these. The pieces I have are certainly not brass. My guess is lead, due to the weight...but could be pewter or tombac I guess. Pewter seems to hold up very well in the soil down here, unlike the other parts of the country where I've dug.

Best Wishes,

Buck

 

[kuger]

Yep,totally missed this B.B!!The examples I have dug are exact....and in sites I know there were no autos.....great guess though!!Powder keg stoppers

 

[BuckleBoy]

Yep,totally missed this B.B!!The examples I have dug are exact....and in sites I know there were no autos.....great guess though!!Powder keg stoppers

So these were from large tins?

 

[kuger]

Yep,square ones,not sure on size

sitting here thinking...imagine that!!!They may have been to large kerosine or Whale oil cans as well

 

[timekiller]

Agree after looking they do look like lead or a white metal that's pretty soft for it to take the cuts & knicks I see.Not something I see from the pewter I dig to old & brittle & think the mix back then was made that way.So yea lead maybe.Also thought I'd add another item that was made in the early to mid 19th century era that had a piece that looks simular in style.BUT Brass.
This piece would be found on a old brace hand drill from the 1828 - 1849 time frame.
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/40104
Later guy's....
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[kuger]

Wow,Pete,that is very interesting!!!I would have falsely IDED that as a powder can stopper....it has a very close resemblance to one that features a Fed Style Eagle....the unique difference I noted right off was the small holes...many of the stoppers have larger cut outs...to assist in tightening I presume(?)I have never seen one of what you have pictured!Thanks!

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/195958-lead-screw-cap.html

 

[Ironman!]

Looks like an earlier version of a lead stopper for a 25 lb. powder can. Kuger & I find these in my sites from the 1870's. Yours has a different feel to it but I believe could be from just that or like Kuger said from a large oil drum? Here are some I have found over the years.

Most have a 1859 patent date.

Just to be clear, I am not saying this is what you have, but looks to be used in the same fashion. IMHO

IM

 

[BuckleBoy]

It helps a lot to be able to see some other similar items. Just out of curiosity, do you ever find a powder can stopper that is hollow inside the threaded part, like mine, or have they all been solid?

Pete, that's a Really interesting piece! Amazing that you found a photo of that one for an ID. Very similar, and hollow inside the threaded part, too. When I saw the hex design on my two items in the OP, I thought modern, but then again, being lead, they would've never held up to being turned with a wrench or similar. I think the hex design was simply to get a better grip on the item. Even the small powder can tops and similar items often have scoring or reeding to assist with grip.

Hmmm. Tough call on the ID!


-Buckles

 

[kuger]

Thanks Ironman!
B.B.,I have three(two with the "female",part...which is lead as well)exactly identicle to yours sitting in front of me......now seeing Ironman's Powder tins I am wondering?Maybe these went to something other than Powder kegs?CC Hunter corrected me once before on them,but I dont know if he gets on here anymore...
I have one attached to a whole top somewhere,I am going to my other house tommorrow,It has be there...

 

[BuckleBoy]

Thanks Ironman!
B.B.,I have three(two with the "female",part...which is lead as well)exactly identicle to yours sitting in front of me......now seeing Ironman's Powder tins I am wondering?Maybe these went to something other than Powder kegs?CC Hunter corrected me once before on them,but I dont know if he gets on here anymore...
I have one attached to a whole top somewhere,I am going to my other house tommorrow,It has be there...

If CC Hunter commented on the forum, maybe we can search it if we know the title or part of the post wording...

So if you've dug them, in the uncontaminated sites you hunt, then it's looking good for these to be an 1850s-ish relic. So that's great news. I look forward to seeing a photo of your items, when you get a chance.

 

[kuger]

I know there is at least one post talking about them on here,but I have searched and searched to no avail?
I also do not think any of mine came from ,non-mixed period sites ....almost positive they date from the 1870's-....maybe a bit earlier

 

[Ironman!]

This may be the post you were referring to Kuger - http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/277875-lead-cap-some-kind.html#post2634240

Buckles, I will look for others I have dug over the years.(after I get up...worked my 12 hr. shift last night) I looked in my reference book "GUN POWDER Cans & Kegs" and unfortunately did not see your style top pictured. However, most of the large cans only showed the end with the paper label and not the lead top.

IM

 

[kuger]

Yep,that was the post I.M.!!Thanks,but....its still different.I was kind of surprised when I looked last night,the first box I pulled out had three exact matches to B.B's......only one,I beleive came from a hunt with you.As said,I can not recall digging any of these large caps in 1850's sites?

 

[BuckleBoy]

Yep,that was the post I.M.!!Thanks,but....its still different.I was kind of surprised when I looked last night,the first box I pulled out had three exact matches to B.B's......only one,I beleive came from a hunt with you.As said,I can not recall digging any of these large caps in 1850's sites?

Would love to see the matches in a photo when you get a chance, as well as any other matches that anyone else has. I am wondering if the hex design has had others thinking this was a modern piece too, and folks have thrown them away! I don't recall seeing another one with the hex design posted on Tnet.

 

[Ironman!]

I went through about half of the past 7 yrs. of relics from the site I have been working and found about 12 more with one being a little closer to what you have. I am still leaning toward a powder can or some large other type can with a Mid West to East Coast maker for your two finds going to. But, alas, I have been corrected many a time with my quest in the I.D. dept.!!! IM

 

[kuger]

I couldnt find the Can top I have with the stopper still in place but I do recall it was square

 

[BuckleBoy]

I couldnt find the Can top I have with the stopper still in place but I do recall it was square

Wow, now that's an exact match if I ever saw one! Gotta be gunpowder or something flammable. Any time I start digging multiples of some curious relic I can't ID, I start to really wonder what it is!

Cheers,


Buck

 

[kuger]

...and you always find a doozie that takes years to ID!!