✅ SOLVED Some copper whatzits from Washington, DC

[rastinirv]

I was hunting today high up along the Potomac above Chain Bridge, where, as I was told by numerous residents in the neighborhood, Union soldiers defended the District with cannons and camped there. I don't think I found anything CW-era, but I found some mystifying copper objects.

There are these objects, which I found close to each other in separate holes. I later realized the smaller piece slides onto the wand-like piece, but I'm not certain they belong together, though they are both copper (bronze maybe?). What the heck are they?



Then there's this screw-type thing, also of copper or bronze, with an old-timey number 2 on top.



Lastly, there's this doohickey, which also seems to be copper (non-magnetic). The middle tab part is flexible. Any ideas?



Knowing the people who frequent here, I'm sure I'll have my answers within the hour. Thanks for looking!

 

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[taz42o]

First and second item is to hold phone line to your house .
The threaded item is split bolt wire clamp.
Last item is a reed from a squeeze box or similar instrument.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Cable clamp for running wires to houses. That tensions the support wire.

Bottom one looks like a reed to a harmonium




http://www.etsy.com/listing/79252450/antique-brass-reeds-for-pump-organ-or

http://www.concertinaconnection.com/concertina reeds.htm

 

[Breezie]

The bottom item looks like a musical reed; perhaps for an accordion or the likes. Look on it to see if you see what 'note' it is. Most are imprinted. Daddy never sleeps at night.




Breezie

 

[wainzoid]

1st one... clamps to a phone wire and the loop hooks over a porcelin knob, on a bracket, attached to a building or house. Ive removed and replaced hundreds of these when doing siding jobs.

2nd one.... usually used for attaching a ground wire or splicing a ground wire. The two wires would be placed in the slot, then a nut (missing) would be screwed on and tightened, clamping the two wires together.

3rd one....Ive seen, but......file not found..... if you know what I mean ?

 

[surf]

Hey rastinirv,

Welcome to the TNet, and thanks for showing us your finds. How long is that whisk, egg dipper looking thing?

 

[rastinirv]

Hey rastinirv,

Welcome to the TNet, and thanks for showing us your finds. How long is that whisk, egg dipper looking thing?

About 7 inches. There seems to be a consensus that it's a phone-line threader. Thanks

 

[rastinirv]

Cable clamp for running wires to houses. That tensions the support wire.

Bottom one looks like a reed to a harmonium


View attachment 759939

Antique Brass Reeds for Pump Organ or Harmonium by queenofsienna

concertina reeds

So this could maybe potentially be from the Civil War era? A lonely soldier ruefully playing his harmonium?

 

[rastinirv]

Thanks to you all for the quick answers! You all continue to amaze me.

 

[bravowhiskey]

the phone wire clamp is typically called a p-clamp. They are normally steel, but some old ones were copper. Copper also used in a high corrosion area such as New Orleans (where I found plenty after Katrina) corrosion being from a sea or salt water environment.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

So this could maybe potentially be from the Civil War era? A lonely soldier ruefully playing his harmonium?

Certainly the right era . . . up to modern. If CW more likely playing for the unit's chaplain while he was holding a Sunday service. They're portable but not in a day-pack.