🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Some kind of brass knob or cap... but to what?

[Exhuminator]

I found what I believe is a knob or cap. It is made of heavy brass. There are indentations for fingers to twist the object. It is threaded internally, like it screwed on to something. The top of the knob/cap has material embedded in it. I believe that material may have formed a wooden extension of this knob/cap. This object appears 1800s to me, but I'm no expert. Please see the attached photos. I'm just trying to get an idea of what this object was ever attached to, what its purpose was. Any educated ideas/guesses are appreciated. Thanks.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[ticndig]

it reminds be of a bung wrench

 

[gillious]

Just out of curiosity have you tried to screw it onto anything? If you can find out what thread the mating piece would have been it will help narrow it down. Threads were standardized around 1864. The machine marks on that look to be made on a fairly accurate lathe. You should be able to find a bolt or threaded pipe that fits it. The red paint might also help you find out what it was used for after you determine the thread pitch.

 

[ARC]

Oil filler cap ?... tractor or mower / bush hog related possibly

 

[Older The Better]

Looks to me like the non threaded end is sloppy for a factory made piece, and maybe a nail hole on one of the ridges… my first impression is it served a different purpose then someone crimped it… possibly to make it easier to grip like you said.

 

[Exhuminator]

Just out of curiosity have you tried to screw it onto anything?

I looked around my junk, but I can't find anything that matches the diameter of the hole that something else could screw into. The threads do look machined lathed inscribed though, I agree. There is no red paint on the object, that's just oxidation. I can see how it looks like paint in the photo though.

someone crimped it… possibly to make it easier to grip like you said.

Definitely possible the object was crimped, as the indentations are not uniform and clean. Or maybe the crimped end was supposed to insert internally into another object, like a pipe or fitting.

It's definitely an oddball little thing I found. I can understand if it's not an object that can be accurately identified. I do appreciate the input though fellows.

 

[Exhuminator]

Oil filler cap ?... tractor or mower / bush hog related possibly

Missed this reply earlier, the idea seems plausible. Definitely could be a cap used for a fluid repository.

 

[ARC]

After a relook at your item i withdraw my original guess for i don't think it is a cap... I say this due to the iron inserted ... obviously on purpose... again yes "crimped" and again on purpose...

Some things pop immediately in my mind with this... LIKE....

Flag pole topper ornament... Even cannon linstock part of some type crossed my mind...
and all types of other things.. even weather vane part.

Not saying your item could be...or is... any of those things... but it definitely is odd.

 

[Fourman110]

Any guess on the material in the star end or is it just dirt?

 

[DCMatt]

Any guess on the material in the star end or is it just dirt?

I think the material inside the crimp is a clue. Maybe there was an iron tool crimped on and a handle screwed into it?

 

[gillious]

A rather mundane idea ... could it be where a broom handle would go into a wooden broom? Just a thought

 

[Radon]

Could it be some sort of spray nozzle? It's hard to tell if there is a passage through from the pictures.

 

[Exhuminator]

I think the material inside the crimp is a clue. Maybe there was an iron tool crimped on and a handle screwed into it?

could it be where a broom handle would go into a wooden broom? Just a thought

The material inside appears to be corroded iron, it's not dirt or clay. I hadn't considered that maybe a handle screwed into the open end. Makes me wonder if this brass bit was part of a whisk tool, with iron whiskers and a wooden handle. Or some other kind of tool that would have iron on one end, and a wooden handle on the other.

 

[Exhuminator]

Could it be some sort of spray nozzle? It's hard to tell if there is a passage through from the pictures.

There's no continuous hole going through the object. The interior base is solid.

 

[Sam moser]

I think it attached to so type of tool and the threaded end was to attach a handle.

 

[GoldieLocks]

Old industrial or farming heavy duty sprinkler equipment?