Help Identifying 1715 Fleet Artifact Please

[divewrecks]

A while back I purchased two 1715 artifacts from an individual who acquired them from a beach hunter who found them some time in the early 1980?s. The story was that they were found in the dunes near one of the survivor/salvageb camp sites. One item is a small buckle that I suspect is made of pewter. The linked pictures incorrectly give it a reddish tone, making one suspect iron. It really has more of a lighter silver tint and, from the lack of corrosion, I suspect it is pewter. My limited research leads me to believe it is consistent with the period, although I would appreciate educated comments relating to period and probable usage.


The other item is much more of a mystery to me. It is a brass or bronze artifact that is somewhat similar to a key. The head of the ?key? is ornate and is comprised of two fish-like figures. They appear very similar to lifting handles I have seen on pictures of early bronze cannons. That leads me to believe that the period is right. Also, the patina on the piece suggests it hasn?t been cleaned and is consistent with what might be expected. The ?shaft? of the key shaped artifact is made from thin gage material and is hollow. As evidenced from the pictures there is some minor deterioration in this area. My pictures have a measurement scale and pretty well give explanation of all I know about the piece. Please share any comments you may have on what the piece is and whether or not it is consistent with the 1715 fleet period. My guesses are this is some kind of key, an applicator for perfume or top for some kind of bottle, or a cleaner for the touch port of a cannon. All comments welcome and appreciated.


Look here for the directory of pics and view each of them if you have time:


http://www.mindspring.com/~se-sport/1715fleet/


TIA, Stan

[neil]

Hi. If you check out ear wax removers. In the olden days, there were very ornate items about this size to remove ear wax from your ears. I am not positive, but look it up. It may be too small for a key to a lock. ?? Gayle

[rgecy]

I thought you had posted this before. It is definately a skelleton key. The shaft would be hollow, the shank has corroded away. I have many examples of ornate keys similar to this. It is the correct size.

Robert in SC

[Rev.Rick]

I am the new boy on the block and I think I sent my e-mail to the wrong person. Lets see if I can get it right this time. In the soft cover book " Buckles"? 1250-1800? by Ross Whitehead I think you will find your buckle on page 83 # 522. It is also on the front cover of his book. If the photos get to you just check then out. Hope this helps. Rev. Rick

[divewrecks]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm familiar with the various designs of ear wax removers from the 1715 fleet, but think that my artifact would be a little large for that purpose. I think Robert nailed it as a skeleton key - I am just not very familiar with these. What would the rest of the key look like and why were they made of hollow material? Also, would these have been common in this period (1715)? As I mentioned previously, I have seen similar fish like decorations in a picture of a 17th century bronze cannon.

Rev. Rick - thanks for the info on the buckle. I didn't get the book picture you sent, but would appreciate it if you could send it again. My email address is: divewrecks@hotmail.com

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts!

Stan

[rgecy]

Here is a picture of a few ornate skeleton keys with the hollow shaft.? The hollow shaft would slide over a pin inside the lock to act as a rotating point for the key shank to turn the tumblers.? This type of key was not used for doors and secure areas, it was mostly used for chest, trunks, or furniture with locks. Hope this helps.

Robert in SC

[divewrecks]

Robert, thanks much for posting the picture. You have me convinced now that what I have is a piece of a skeleton key. I guess I can fantasize that it was used on one of the treasure chests from the ill-fated fleet!

Stan