This brass object was in my grandmothers things--location Natchez, MS

[PatrickBear]

This brass object was in my grandmother's things--location Natchez, MS

Would really appreciate help in identifying what it is







the edge has a lip that doesn't show well in these pictures--wider at the bottom

 

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[Breezie]

At first glance, I thought it was a stove damper, but since it has a hammer & rifle, it might have something to do with 'anvil shooting.' Perhaps a leveler or marker. Check out this website:
http://www.anvilmag.com/comment/111d2.htm

Are you sure it is brass? It looks like pewter or lead to me. When was your grandmother born? This could give us at least an era of time. What is the diameter and thickness? Could you post a pic of the edge. Does the edge have a track deep enough to support a wire, cable, or rope? Or is the edge off-set as if it could fit as a lid, thus items could be shaken out through the holes. Thanks, Breezie

 

[Jason in Enid]

It looks like some type of die stamp, but I've never seen a rifle / hammer symbol before.

 

[PYRATE]

Could it be a trivet?

Does the wider lip at the bottom have the same thickness as the rifle & hammer? (if you can't tell, set a pot of water on it & see if it stays level)

 

[cw0909]

prob has something to do with this

from the NY times,dated 1970
http://pictures.historicimages.net/pictures/_2/1484/1483143.jpg
1970 Press Photo China Communist Rifle Hammer Sickle Symbol Hong Kong
1970 Press Photo China Communist Rifle Hammer Sickle Symbol Hong Kong | eBay
From The Indian Express dated September 25, 1970

Jana Yudh (People's War, Nepal) |At The Edge

 

[Oddjob]

I think your best bet with something such as this would be to contact one of the Brothers at the nearest Lodge, such as The Grand Lodge of Mississippi. I have seen only one before I just can not pen point the exact Lodge (Woodmen of the World or Rebekah perhaps).

Best of luck on your investigation and keep us up dated.

 

[flyadive]

Looks like a Rifle ( not black powder) over a sledgehammer on a Train wheel.
How about a train policeman badge.
Or something to do with the railroad.

 

[cdsieg]

I Googled Rifle Crossing Mallet, (not Hammer) Badge or insignia and I come up with , other things for you to explore.[h=4][/h] I came up with some interesting things, but nothing quite like your find. Here is a link to some information on the Army Reserve Mallet.
[h=1][/h]THE MALLET RESERVE - The Call for Yankee Aid. Commander Praises Americans. - View Article - NYTimes.com

I would think it is military related but I would think something MUCH older than the 1900's just because of where it was found and the history of the Natches Trace Area. I just thought I would share the info, in case it leads you to new areas to explore.

Good luck!
Cindy

 

[taz42o]

Did grandma come from another county ? soviet union maybe?

 

[cdsieg]

Instead of it being a hammer or regular Mallet or Sledgehammer, maybe it was a an old cannon loading tool, or a ramming mallet.View attachment 667388

 

[cw0909]

still looking,how long did your gm live in the house

couldnt find anything about the french insignia
Insignia for the Reserve Mallet and C.R.O.
WW1 US ARMY INSIGNIA FOR THE AMERICAN MISSION RESERVE MALLET SERVICE 1919,INSIGNIA FOR THE RESERVE MALLET & C.R.O. ,CENTRAL RECORDS OFFICE DURING WW1 - Article Preview - Old Magazine Articles

 

[PatrickBear]

My Grandmother died in 1989 and was born around 1900. There are things in her boxes that date back to the mid 1800's though most were from 1880 on.

I rubbed it a bit and here are better pictures. On the back are some stamped numbers that are very hard to see: 1 (something like maybe 4) (something that I can't make out) (S or 1) ' 7. The rifle silhouette looks a bit like an old 1903 Springfield? The piece sits perfectly on its bottom and the crossed sledgehammer (?) and rifle are at the same height so relatively flat as well. It is not perfectly round, nor is the lip perfectly even going around.

 

[PatrickBear]

Our family lived in Natchez from before the Civil War

 

[flyadive]

Our family lived in Natchez from before the Civil War

Natchez?
Maybe that's not a rifle, may be some kind of tool that swings down at the center pivot point.

 

[Breezie]

Natchez?
Maybe that's not a rifle, may be some kind of tool that swings down at the center pivot point.

After seeing the extreme close-up of the piece, I agree with flyadive in that it doesn't look like a rifle, but 'something' that pivots on the center round piece.

I also think oddjob is close too. The many Fraternal organizations have all sorts of medals and do-dads worn around their necks, on their sashes, belts, etc. Instead of a sledgehammer, it could be a gavel and a 'pivoting something. Most interesting, Breezie

 

[kenscott]

Did you mention what type of metal it was made from? If the numbers are 416, that is a European designation for 10K gold.

 

[cdsieg]

I took the liberty of playing with your photos a little, I think the item looks like a gun, but I could be wrong. It looks like it has a sighting thing on top for aiming it. On the bottom of the side with the crossing items, it looks to me like it might be a makers mark of some kind. Any chance you could try to get a photo of that? I tried to zoom in on it, but couldn't get a clear look.

 

[Breezie]

By chance did your grandmother or any family member have any dealings with the country of Hungary? Below is a photo of a 1970's Hungarian Factory Guard Uniform badge. I talked with another TNet member about your item, and she found this. It might be obscure, but still it is the only crossed rifle/hammer we have been able to find. Breezie Here is the website:
Factory Guard Uniform - Hungary - Gentleman's Military Interest Club