✅ SOLVED Natchez Trace artifacts

[Ripcon]

I have located and been hunting what appears to be an old pioneer settlement site on the Natchez Trace in west central Mississippi. The site is on private property but within 100 yards of the original Trace. I've found numerous artifacts from the early 1800s but are non-miitary. The grouping picture shows some of the more interesting items: a large spoon, crotal bell (indian trade item), a flintlock hammer plate & frizzen, some flat buttons, and some musket balls. Also found but not pictured is an 1824 large cent and piece of a weight scale. The item in the right hand lower corner of the photo has me stumped. I've attached 2 additional photos showing closeups.
It's a brass object with a flared end. Inserted into the base of this end was a pewter or lead piece that was square in shape. When I dug it, the lead/pewter was still inserted into the piece.
I'm stumped as to what it could have gone to.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[tennessee digger]

I really like your finds and I like where you found them too. The Natchez Trace begins here in Nashville and I'm very familiar with the route that it takes going to Mississippi. There are some old sites along it and it looks like that you have found one of them. Congrats.

 

[callicles]

Great finds! And welcome to T-net. I assure you there are folks here that will identify that strange brass object with pewter or lead attachment. If not, they'll give very well reasoned and educated guesses! I hope you keep posting your finds. Very cool!

 

[AU Seeker]

Does the square end of the pewter/lead piece have a hole in it, and if so does the hole have any threads in it for a possible screw?

 

[Indian Steve]

It looks like the end of an old ceramic doorknob.

 

[Limitool]

Great finds and I envy you. I live in Middle TN. VERY near the trace along the Duck River and haven't even began to MD along the banks of the river or crossing points yet... Maybe someday...?

 

[Ripcon]

No, the lead/pewter end doesn't have any threads or hole. It's one solid piece

 

[Indian Steve]

Metal piece would have been inside the ceramic knob.

 

[Ripcon]

Thanks. It looks like that may be it - the part of a ceramic door knob.