Pointy Item made of Copper Alloy with Wooden Shaft

[mcl]

Hey Everyone.

Got another copper/copper alloy item here I'd like to get some opinions on. Relevant info:

- Item is made of a strip of a copper alloy, probably brass, which was rolled into cylindrical shape that tapers to a relatively sharp point at the end.
- There are remnants of a wooden shaft inside the rolled brass, indicating that whatever this item is, it was "on a stick", so to speak.
- The item was severely damaged, probably by being run over by farming equipment. There are two significant bends in the object -- at least one of these bends, which twisted and cracked the item in its center, was the result of said damage. The other bend, which is roughly 90 degrees, occurs just before the item tapers to a point. This bend may well be a part of the original design.
- The item was found in an area that has been many things over the years. Right now it is a field, but it was once the location of a densely populated community. It has also been a dumping site. Therefore, almost anything could be found here. While some Native American artifacts have been found there, for the most part, human activity in the area is confined to between the 1880s and the present.
- The key element I believe will help identify this item is the fact that it had a wooden shaft. This helps to rule out a lot of other potential IDs.
- Some random thoughts I've had: a tooth from a rake, a phonograph needle/holder/arm, a knitting/crocheting tool
- Fantasy (unlikely) ID: a fur trade era conical copper point

Pictures:

1. Side view (first)



2. Side view (second)



3. Top view (crack from twist is the whitish line)



4. Top of point



5. Bottom view



6. Bottom view (portion after twist/crack)



7. Bend near taper



8. Taper



9. Tip



10. Tip (Another angle)



11. Remnants of wooden shaft



12. Side view of taper bend



13. Top view of crack/second bend/twist



14. Side view of crack



15. Other end of the item, which isn't as smooth as the rest. Might suggest that it broke here, or that it was crudely cut.



16. Another view of the end.



17. Another view of the end.



18. Remnants of wooden shaft and area I scratched to expose the brass for the camera (right)



19. Another view of the remnants of the wooden shaft.



20. Another view of the wooden shaft.



21. Another angle of tip.



22. Another angle of taper bend.



Thank you for looking. Hopefully we can get this one figured out.

-mcl

 

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[Carl995]

Hey Everyone.

Got another copper/copper alloy item here I'd like to get some opinions on. Relevant info:

- Item is made of a strip of a copper alloy, probably brass, which was rolled into cylindrical shape that tapers to a relatively sharp point at the end.
- There are remnants of a wooden shaft inside the rolled brass, indicating that whatever this item is, it was "on a stick", so to speak.
- The item was severely damaged, probably by being run over by farming equipment. There are two significant bends in the object -- at least one of these bends, which twisted and cracked the item in its center, was the result of said damage. The other bend, which is roughly 90 degrees, occurs just before the item tapers to a point. This bend may well be a part of the original design.
- The item was found in an area that has been many things over the years. Right now it is a field, but it was once the location of a densely populated community. It has also been a dumping site. Therefore, almost anything could be found here. While some Native American artifacts have been found there, for the most part, human activity in the area is confined to between the 1880s and the present.
- The key element I believe will help identify this item is the fact that it had a wooden shaft. This helps to rule out a lot of other potential IDs.
- Some random thoughts I've had: a tooth from a rake, a phonograph needle/holder/arm, a knitting/crocheting tool
- Fantasy (unlikely) ID: a fur trade era conical copper point

Pictures:

1. Side view (first)

View attachment 1200708

2. Side view (second)

-mcl

Maybe part of a wood & metal compass?
A vary large 18th 19th century antique drawing wooden compass divider tool Antique wood and metal French, carpenters divider compass. the two tips are pointed to draw circles up to 42" inches diameter this is a vary old and large working tool.Scribe-compass is an instrument used by carpenters and other tradesmen. Some Compasses can be used to scribe circles, bisect angles and in this case to trace a line. It is the compass in the most simple form. Both branches are crimped metal. One branch has a pencil sleeve while the other branch is crimped with a fine point protruding from the end. The wing nut serves two purposes, first it tightens the pencil and secondly it locks in the desired distance when the wing nut is turned clockwise.

View attachment 1200731

 

[austin]

or possibly some copper tubing from an old car or other machine.

 

[vhs07]

Looks like the end of a fish stringer, but the wood inside throws that off.

 

[ARC]

My guess... Copper roof spike... anti bird or lightning.

 

[Crispin]

I must say, in all honesty, that was the best proposal of an object I have ever seen on TNET. It was devoid of prejudice and clearly stated things as unbiased as possible. Well done sir, indeed, well done. I bow to your superior skills and aspire to be able to present my own future objects in a similar manner.

I would like to offer an expert opinion but I find myself lacking. The only meaningful contribution that I can make is that if it is copper with a wooden shaft then I would expect it to be used for some sort of more sophisticated farming equipment. Easily rusted and replaced iron would not have a wooden core as such presented and be easier to replace the entire thing then just the iron. If the money was spent on copper I would suggest it was a less replaceable part and more valued in the original form. Again, bravo.

 

[tamrock]

I must say, in all honesty, that was the best proposal of an object I have ever seen on TNET. It was devoid of prejudice and clearly stated things as unbiased as possible. Well done sir, indeed, well done. I bow to your superior skills and aspire to be able to present my own future objects in a similar manner.

I would like to offer an expert opinion but I find myself lacking. The only meaningful contribution that I can make is that if it is copper with a wooden shaft then I would expect it to be used for some sort of more sophisticated farming equipment. Easily rusted and replaced iron would not have a wooden core as such presented and be easier to replace the entire thing then just the iron. If the money was spent on copper I would suggest it was a less replaceable part and more valued in the original form. Again, bravo.

10-4 on that.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Part of a rooster tail on a weather vane or part of an old antennae.

 

[Tedyoh]

Maybe part of an older cemetery flag, like from the 50's and 60's when things were made in the USA and built with quality materials?

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

part of a pocket book frame