The only thing I can think of is Candle Snuffer?

[Don in SJ]

Found this brass/iron relic today at the homestead I got the 2 NJ coppers and 1 KG copper at. I thought when I first dug it that it was some type of hand held bell, until I saw the construction was not solid enough brass to be a bell. Upon cleaning it at home and looking at the shape, the only thing I can think of right now is a possible candle snuffer?

Don

 

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[Breezie]

Looks like a candle snuffer to me too. Breezie

 

[PChammer]

Just wondering if it's possibly a wall mounted piece of candle holder instead? The plate looks like it would be such a thing and could be the candle holder was broken.

 

[Don in SJ]

Just wondering if it's possibly a wall mounted piece of candle holder instead? The plate looks like it would be such a thing and could be the candle holder was broken.

That is a thought, however, it is a rather flimsy setup and I would think to hold a candle the holder would be more substantial design (heavier gauge metal). But, since I have never held a colonial era candle snuffer or holder, I just don't know. Since it was found at a isolated homestead, I would assume it was a worker bee type of homestead, one who worked at perhaps at one of the local sawmills, it is not a farming area at all. So what I am saying, not going to be any fancy piece of whatever it is.

 

[Hill Billy]

Could it have been part of a door knob handle Don?

 

[PChammer]

I made a picture of what it may have looked like before it's destruction

 

[Noodle]

Could you use some electrolysis on it to melt away some of that rust/debris on the chain? Usually a snuffer has a soft loop above it to rest it on the flame. Not convinced it's a candle snuffer. Not sure....

 

[Don in SJ]

No way on electrolysis, don't think it would survive, all rusted thru for the most part, and it is not a chain, but was a solid iron bar from what I can tell. On these added photos you will notice tabs circling the upper portion with one of the tabs ripped away and sticking out. It is of thin gauge metal so a candle holder seems to be unlikely, it would not support it. I did put it over one of my candles and it seems to be plausable that it is in fact a snuffer, but again, just don't know. It for sure had some useful purpose and I am sure it is period so it would date no later than the mid to late 1700s, so the mindset of what this relic would look like than to do its job....... This was found at a worker type homestead, so nothing fancy there I am sure, probably a individual who cut trees down for a nearby sawmill.........

Don

 

[bradyboy]

A door bell , ringer attached to the door to announce the door was opened?
Brady

 

[PChammer]

A door bell , ringer attached to the door to announce the door was opened?
Brady

After seeing the inside, I was going to suggest the same and I agree. It could very well be a door bell. Nice call.

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/Frenc...ain_Pull_Door_Bell_e6d989976c0b576402df_2.jpg

It's still possible it's something else but if it is in fact a bell, it could be an old shop bell, service bell, ship bell etc... the style is like a temple bell but that doesn't mean it is.

 

[Don in SJ]

A door bell , ringer attached to the door to announce the door was opened?
Brady

After seeing the inside, I was going to suggest the same and I agree. It could very well be a door bell. Nice call.

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/Frenc...ain_Pull_Door_Bell_e6d989976c0b576402df_2.jpg

It's still possible it's something else but if it is in fact a bell, it could be an old shop bell, service bell, ship bell etc... the style is like a temple bell but that doesn't mean it is.

Believe me, it is too flimsy to be any type of bell, and the context of the find, where it was found, the area, the time frame of the other finds, it is not a bell of any type, I ruled that out once I got home, I have many older bells and no way is this even close to being a bell. Now, candles were used for lighting in the 1700s and thus the candle snuffer possibility remains strong.

 

[PChammer]

A door bell , ringer attached to the door to announce the door was opened?
Brady

After seeing the inside, I was going to suggest the same and I agree. It could very well be a door bell. Nice call.

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/Frenc...ain_Pull_Door_Bell_e6d989976c0b576402df_2.jpg

It's still possible it's something else but if it is in fact a bell, it could be an old shop bell, service bell, ship bell etc... the style is like a temple bell but that doesn't mean it is.

Believe me, it is too flimsy to be any type of bell, and the context of the find, where it was found, the area, the time frame of the other finds, it is not a bell of any type, I ruled that out once I got home, I have many older bells and no way is this even close to being a bell. Now, candles were used for lighting in the 1700s and thus the candle snuffer possibility remains strong.

It may not had been so flimsy at one time but sure, it could very well still be a candle snuffer. I'll do some checking later today to see if I can find something on it.

Paul

 

[DirtDigler]

It might be a socket for a flagpole. It would be largely decorative. The pole would go inside the hole and a finial (eagle, spear point, etc.) would sit atop it.

 

[timekiller]

Don just wanted to pass these shots to you as they came from a antique shop here I walked thru with the wife yesterday (was thinking about your post when I saw this).Only had my cell phone with me so pics. aren't that great but maybe good enough.
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[PChammer]

I think those pics put a nice stamp on what it is and nice pics

 

[DirtDigler]

Although it looks similar, it is not cast brass, like most snuffers. It's stamped brass, made in a press. Perhaps they made thin brass ones once upon a time. Anyone else?

 

[Don in SJ]

Don just wanted to pass these shots to you as they came from a antique shop here I walked thru with the wife yesterday (was thinking about your post when I saw this).Only had my cell phone with me so pics. aren't that great but maybe good enough.
Take Care,
Pete,

Yes, it was a photo in one of my books of a very similar snuffer that really made me lean towards it being a candle snuffer in the first place. I have since found examples of ones that were vertical with the handle somewhat like the one I found, but have found none that are made of the stamped brass, with those tab vents like mine has so I still consider the ID questionable, but for lack of anything better for an explanation, still lean towards the final outcome being a candle snuffer till proven otherwise.

Don

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Hi Don What you have there is the base collar and
internal metal center support post for an oil lamp.

Happy Hunting,
Dave

 

[Don in SJ]

Hi Don What you have there is the base collar and
internal metal center support post for an oil lamp.

Happy Hunting,
Dave

A possibility but not enough evidence to say for sure. Also, not sure if that style was in play in the late 1700s, believe that style was not used till a later period than this isolated homestead.

Don

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Hi Don What you have there is the base collar and
internal metal center support post for an oil lamp.

Happy Hunting,
Dave

A possibility but not enough evidence to say for sure. Also, not sure if that style was in play in the late 1700s, believe that style was not used till a later period than this isolated homestead.

Don

Morning Don,

Here's a better picture of what you've found. The brass on your collar has split, that's what use to happen to these early base supports. The style of your base dates to the late 1850's or early 60's.

Dave