🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Possible civil war relic help needed

[tnt-hunter]

I found this on a school site that has produced a variety of civil war items, but this site has been in use ever since so it is very possible it is more modern. It is brass, but was up against a piece of ferrous metal that stuck to it so the exact shape of the upper portion is hidden until I get it cleaned up. I have no idea what it is. It might be civil war, but it could be more recent. I’m hoping someone out there has seen this item before. Any help would be appreciated. (The grid is quarter inch blocks, the label is cut off in the picture.)

Stay safe, good luck and may your coil lead you to good things.

 

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[Mud Hut]

That is one interesting relic!

 

[Mud Hut]

I sent your picture to a friend and he said he thought it was a bolt-on "holdback iron" from a horse drawn wagon.

 

[pepperj]

I found this on a school site that has produced a variety of civil war items, but this site has been in use ever since so it is very possible it is more modern. It is brass, but was up against a piece of ferrous metal that stuck to it so the exact shape of the upper portion is hidden until I get it cleaned up. I have no idea what it is. It might be civil war, but it could be more recent. I’m hoping someone out there has seen this item before. Any help would be appreciated. (The grid is quarter inch blocks, the label is cut off in the picture.)

Stay safe, good luck and may your coil lead you to good things.

View attachment 2055131

Not saying it is this/but it reminded me of this.

 

[VaGent]

It does not look like anything CW that I am aware of.

 

[tnt-hunter]

Not saying it is this/but it reminded me of this.
View attachment 2055150

The ball part looks right, but the shaft is thin and not heavy like the bolt on a rifle. (I own several bolt action weapons). Nice try, thanks for the reply. Stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

 

[Deftone]

Cufflink.

 

[CaptEsteban]

Cufflink.

Part of the a hames.

Antique Brass Horse Hames Haines Haynes Tip Shabby Vintage to Restore or Repurpose to Cane Walking Stick Handle 8242 - Etsy

Heavy(hollow) brass top to a horse hame. The round top makes a good grip for repurposing into a walking stick handle. Unpolished, dark brown/olive green color. About 6 3/4 long. Opening is about 1 1/16 (slightly wider if a small dent is removed) x 1 3/16. 1 11/16 across ball at the largest

www.etsy.com

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Sorry, but no on the Hames Tip guess... because the Hames Tip's solid ball is always atop a hollow brass sleeve, so it can fit onto the tapered wooden tip of the Hames. Anybody who doesn't believe that is true, please check all the photos at the posted Etsy link (above).

 

[creskol]

I would agree that it is a piece to a holdback iron from a wagon.

 

[tnt-hunter]

I would agree that it is a piece to a holdback iron from a wagon.

Can you send me a link so I can see a picture of a hold back iron? I’m not sure what that is and the internet search is not producing any results.

 

[Deftone]

Another guess maybe a ball clasp for a coin purse or something. Keep in mind the 1/4 inch blocks.

 

[creskol]

Can you send me a link so I can see a picture of a hold back iron? I’m not sure what that is and the internet search is not producing any results.

I can't provide a link, but here is a holdback iron albeit of a little different design.

 

[tnt-hunter]

I can't provide a link, but here is a holdback iron albeit of a little different design. View attachment 2055496

I can see the similarity, but it is brass and the shaft is thin with a definite end. It does not appear to be broken off. Thanks for the input, stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

Another guess maybe a ball clasp for a coin purse or something. Keep in mind the 1/4 inch blocks.

Again I can see the similarity, but the coin purse balls I have seen are usually much smaller and the shaft is normally longer and has some way to attach the rest of the purse. It doesn’t quite look right, but it is the best possibility so far. Thanks for the input, stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

 

[creskol]

I can see the similarity, but it is brass and the shaft is thin with a definite end. It does not appear to be broken off. Thanks for the input, stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

That one is made of brass as well. The back edge of yours shows what appears to be a bolt. and a protrusion. Those characteristics would strongly suggest it is a bolt on version.

 

[tnt-hunter]

That one is made of brass as well. The back edge of yours shows what appears to be a bolt. and a protrusion. Those characteristics would strongly suggest it is a bolt on version.

You may be right and it would be nice if you are, but I still have no idea what a hold back iron is or how it was used. Until it was mentioned here I had never heard of one. I have done searches on line and come up with nothing. I am unable to judge the validity of your information unless I understand what it is we are talking about or at least see more examples for comparison.

Thanks for your input and persistence, stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

 

[dozer dan]

Bent broken bell clapper?

 

[fyrffytr1]

A wild guess but could it be part of a sword guard, called a finger guard?

 

[DCMatt]

I found this on a school site that has produced a variety of civil war items, but this site has been in use ever since so it is very possible it is more modern. It is brass, but was up against a piece of ferrous metal that stuck to it so the exact shape of the upper portion is hidden until I get it cleaned up. I have no idea what it is. It might be civil war, but it could be more recent. I’m hoping someone out there has seen this item before. Any help would be appreciated. (The grid is quarter inch blocks, the label is cut off in the picture.)

Stay safe, good luck and may your coil lead you to good things.

View attachment 2055131

Coat hook.

 

[Retired Sarge]

A wild guess but could it be part of a sword guard, called a finger guard?

Good guess, but I don't know of any US military used sword with a orb like that on the hand guard or quillon. Most either have a flat disc or scroll like swirl and are usually ornate.