casket or barrel key ?

[allen]

I dug this at an early 1930s homesite
here in Shelby County on Sunday afternoon
and hope someone can ID it with the blurry
pics that i have of it.
It was about 4 inches deep and came up as
a quarter signal which surprised me big time.
There is a hole all the way through it close to
the end is why i thought it was a key.

Thanks for solving this everyone !!!

[vhs07]

Looks like part of a valve from a old gas light.

[DCMatt]

Banjo/guitar tuning key.

DCMatt

[Taranis]

Think it's an faucet.

[Breezie]

Banjo/guitar tuning key.

DCMatt

I'm with Matt, from what I can see, it looks like a stringed instrument tuning key.
Breezie

[aka, da Prof]

is the end treaded? I can't recall see any git/jo/fid tuners that were brass. what the over all length?

[Gunny71]

Looks like part of a valve from a old gas light.

I think this is spot on.

[allen]

close Gunny, but it has no threads and I
will post better pics if i get a new camera
and the length when i get home later today !
Breezie or DC Matt, can you find a pic of
the stringed instrument tuning key to post
so i can see if it is the same or not ?

[Gunny71]

close Gunny, but it has no threads and I
will post better pics if i get a new camera
and the length when i get home later today !
Breezie or DC Matt, can you find a pic of
the stringed instrument tuning key to post
so i can see if it is the same or not ?

I cant find an exploded view, but I think your piece is just a part of this one. The thumbscrew seen in the middle of the valve, if pulled out of the valve body would look like your piece.

[allen]

the flat part on mine doesnt move any, its actually made not to move.

[DCMatt]

Hmmm... The gas lamp key looks like a good possibility.

I said tuning peg because I'm a guitar player and it was the first thing that came to mind.

Even though it 'could' be a tuning key, a gas lamp key would be much more likely.

DCMatt

[aka, da Prof]

--DCMatt-- I thought the hole in the item might be a bit large for any string that I know of. Also, I can't recall any brass friction peg that I have seen

[allen]

let me see if i can get some better
pics of it over the weekend and
maybe that will help us figure out
what this is !!

[Bigcypresshunter]

I agree with the others, its a valve. It doesnt need threads. It turns until the hole lines up.

[Bigcypresshunter]

the flat part on mine doesnt move any, its actually made not to move.

The entire piece moves until the hole lines up.

[BuckleBoy]

Gas lamp valve. Solved.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Gas lamp valve. Solved.

I dont think there is any doubt. Nice find.