Sterling Wax Seal Stamp, Finial, Fuse & Mystery....

[DCMetal]

Another "after the rain" dig and another successful backyard dig. Lots of nails as always and a nice surprise. I believe it's sterling and it's a monogrammed wax seal stamp. I can't find any markings on it.



I also found something that looks like a fuse but I know it could be anything. Any thoughts?



I unearthed my third finial-- all exactly the same. When I found my first one, members said it was a finial from a cap pouch but I'm starting to wonder. Since I've found 3, I'm wondering if they're actually something else.



These other pieces are a mystery to me- one is either copper or brass. It's open at one end and closed at the other. It's about the size of a long cigarette butt and has banding around it. It looks like there was embossing on it but I can't make it out. Another piece looks like a bullet/shot gun casing and finally the small iron piece looks like the end of a knife but again, could be anything. Oh yes, and another bone to add to the graveyard collection.

 

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[DCMetal]

the bone...

 

[ARC]

Wow...
You ARE on a site... and a half... from the looks of it.
Killer stamp.
That's a large seal... rare find.

P.S> you sure that's a "casing"... I would say more a med or needle case.

 

[thrifty76now]

That is one of a kind.Those wax seal stamps are rare finds.Great variety in your hunt.

 

[ARC]

I cant get the image outta my head...
So I returned to look again to see if what I am seeing is correct...

In Picture 3...
It appears to have the "top" removed...
Are my eyes playing tricks on me ?

 

[DCMetal]

I cant get the image outta my head...
So I returned to look again to see if what I am seeing is correct...

In Picture 3...
It appears to have the "top" removed...
Are my eyes playing tricks on me ?

ARRC, you always get so excited... I love it! Actually, the top of the wax seal was bent and I carefully bent it back in place. Luckily it didn't snap off. As for the casing, I was actually referencing the last photo. You might be right about the copper/brass piece-- a needle holder is something I hadn't thought of. I went back out after I posted and just came in at 7:30pm Eastern. Lots more stuff including the bottom of a large bottle that reads "Atlas"-- I'll have to look that one up.

 

[sutphin]

DC METAL THAT IS A HECK OF A WAX SEAL AND SAAAWWED BONE.

 

[DCMetal]

DC METAL THAT IS A HECK OF A WAX SEAL AND SAAAWWED BONE.

Sutphin... since you have a Whites, you should join me one day to find what I've been missing. ; )

 

[OWK]

Your stamp, rotated,reversed, and enhanced, to show how it would appear in wax.

B.S Maybe? or B.J? possibly even B.T.

Appears to be cypher-script. Sometimes a little harder to read.

 

[DCMetal]

View attachment 1181053

Your stamp, rotated,reversed, and enhanced, to show how it would appear in wax.

B.S Maybe? or B.J? possibly even B.T.

Appears to be cypher-script. Sometimes a little harder to read.

I actually put a washable marker on it and I thought it might be an R. You're right, hard to read but gives me more to go on for my house research.

 

[OWK]

I'm pretty confident in the B. I'll see if I can find some similar cypher-script images to help with the second letter.

 

[ARC]

Got a candle ?

Bigger the better...
If so... let wax "pool" a bit then pour onto folded paper.
Must stamp fast... don't let cool.
Hold it for a few secs as well on wax without moving it.

PS>>>darker candles like red and green are best.

 

[fmrUSMC_0844]

Those are some great finds!! your "fuse" thing looks like a flachette to me. Its something that went inside and artillery round to cause maximum damage when they explode. It flings those things all over the place. Im probably wrong but that is what it reminds me of.

 

[DCMetal]

I'm pretty confident in the B. I'll see if I can find some similar cypher-script images to help with the second letter.

Looking at your pic... it definitely looks like a B. I need to find some ink and try it again. Thanks for taking the time... I really appreciate it. ; )

 

[DCMetal]

Those are some great finds!! your "fuse" thing looks like a flachette to me. Its something that went inside and artillery round to cause maximum damage when they explode. It flings those things all over the place. Im probably wrong but that is what it reminds me of.

I've never heard of that. I'm going to look it up and see if it looks the same. I thought it might be some sort of fuse considering the other things I've found here. Thanks for the input.

 

[DCMetal]

Got a candle ?

Bigger the better...
If so... let wax "pool" a bit then pour onto folded paper.
Must stamp fast... don't let cool.
Hold it for a few secs as well on wax without moving it.

PS>>>darker candles like red and green are best.

I think I only have cream colored candles but I'm going to look right now. I think I might actually have a was seal with the wax in the attic. Stand by.....

 

[ARC]

If no other color... try the cream...
Then photo with a light pointed directly from the side... "across" it.
So to create shadows in the crevices to bring out some detail...
Take pic with flash off.

 

[OWK]

This signet stamp is a little bit of an enigma.

The scroll (almost wavelike) decoration of the body of the piece make it look like something from the early aesthetic movement (the period during the 1870's and 80's when silversmiths began to experiment with organic decorative forms).

But the function of the device, and the character of the signet engraving make it seem older.

Any marks you can see on it (other than the signet engraving)?

 

[pepperj]

Now the seal is of a design that I haven't seen before, awesome find! Question is it hollow with a solid end or filled with something like what a cutlery handle would be when filled?

 

[OWK]

This one MIGHT have been one that could be "redone" when new owner acquired... OR personnel at "station" for example.
Could have been changed regularly even if used on "sensitive" documents.

They just shave/sand off the old and produce a new one in its place.
OR
Added to original design.

Sure. A signet could be re-made with new monogram engraving.

But it looks enigmatic to me because the monogram (and the need for a wax seal) seem considerably older than the form of the stamp itself.

If you look at the body of the stamp, it looks very much like a highly stylized organic tree form... with very scrolled branch features. This is the kind of form I'd expect to see on a piece made in maybe 1885 or so.

But the engraving seems older.. and of course the use of wax seals was also older (falling out of general use at the end of the civil war).

That's why I'm curious as to whether there are other markings on the piece.

If it is marked sterling, it is probably an aesthetic movement piece, made in the 1880's, as sort of a nostalgia piece for a relatively affluent client.

If it is unmarked, or has only a makers' mark, it is probably coin silver, and considerably older, but made by a smith whose sense of style was ahead of his time.

An enigma.