Trade Silver?

[Swartzie]

I found this piece on an Ohio site that has produced some finds from the 1700's (not a home site). The site has 18th century military and native american history. It measures a little over a half inch long. Looks like silver, but will not signal past nickle on my detector. Low grade silver maybe? At first I was thinking maybe a small tinkler or ear bob. But now I'm thinking maybe just a small piece of rolled trade silver. Or maybe it's nothing at all. Any opinions? This thread is also cross posted in the fur trade artifacts forum.

-Swartzie

 

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[Breezie]

Could it be the nib to a vintage mechanical pencil? Breezie

 

[Gunny71]

Could it be the small piece of metal that held a pencil eraser onto the end of the pencil?
Just a WAG

 

[CRUSADER]

Might have been traded but I think it started off as trim to a pipe stem.

 

[High Plains Digger]

might be a tinkle bell for dance costumes. Still in use today. Not much on it's own, but when you have dozens, they can make some noise.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Could be the end piece for a Quill Pen.

SS

 

[bradyboy]

I'm going with quill pen tip
looks like it was crimped to hold fast to a barrel
Brady

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It reminds me more of the tip for a bolo tie.

 

[DanB]

Nola.....just beat me too the punch......I would agree with the last post ....a bolo tie tip....

db

 

[Swartzie]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

 

[Silver Searcher]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

Why the crimps in the end then

SS

 

[Swartzie]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

Why the crimps in the end then

SS

Good question. But are they crimps or is it decoration. The piece looks like a tinkler that the native americans wore for decoration. http://www.bobsphotogallery.com/gallery2/v/FurTrade/album_014 That and the history of the site made me think fur trade item. Maybe I'll have to ask the fella's over at the Fur Trade forum about the crimps.

-Swartzie

 

[Silver Searcher]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

Why the crimps in the end then

SS

Good question. But are they crimps or is it decoration. The piece looks like a tinkler that the native americans wore for decoration. http://www.bobsphotogallery.com/gallery2/v/FurTrade/album_014 That and the history of the site made me think fur trade item. Maybe I'll have to ask the fella's over at the Fur Trade forum about the crimps.

-Swartzie

Nice link and interesting I think your piece was once attached to something

SS

 

[Breezie]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

Swartzie, Obviously I don't know the difference between 'trade silver' and a piece of low grade silver that would be used for a mechanical pencil, ink pen, bolo tie, or any object that is shaped like this. I'm not being a doubting Thomas, but I would like to learn the difference. Thanks, Breezie

 

[stefen]

What she said

 

[Swartzie]

Actually, a couple guys in the Fur Trade forum have identified it as a piece of trade silver. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,418091.0.html There was an 18th century indian village no more than two hundred yards from the recovery site (a river crossing that would have been used by the village and travellers). So, I'm leaning more towards the trade silver and green checking this one. Thanks for all the replies.

-Swartzie

Swartzie, Obviously I don't know the difference between 'trade silver' and a piece of low grade silver that would be used for a mechanical pencil, ink pen, bolo tie, or any object that is shaped like this. I'm not being a doubting Thomas, but I would like to learn the difference. Thanks, Breezie

Frankly, I don't know myself as far as the content of the silver. But trade silver was a trade object between the indians and the french or british. The indians would trade furs and skins for metal goods (domestic and ornamental). Each side benefited from trades and there was a lot of it going on. BTW, I just got a PM from another fur trade fella who says it is a trade silver item. But I sure would like to see an example of one that has the crimp look like mine does.

-Swartzie