Any ideas what this might be

[MesaBuddy]

Here's the link

http://goldplacer.com/goldprospector...-hunting-blog/

Top of page
Thanks
MesaB

[warsawdaddy]

Looks like a bugle mouthpiece.The hole may just be corroded up

[southernbandit]

Could it be a Rifle Ram Rod of some kind?

[Gypsy Heart]

that rod is about two feet long or better......

[Fatboy]

looks like a blowpipe for making glass bottles etc

[azgoldplacer]

Hi guys,

This is Ted from Goldplacer.com. Thanks for posting it MesaB.


Just a bit more info on this piece. It's not hollow. The hole at the bottom of the cup makes it look that way but it only goes down about 1/8 of an inch.

I thought perhaps it was a spoke at first but that would make for a wheel taller than me and I'm 6 ft. It was found in the wrong place for such a thing anyhow.

I liked the idea of a ramrod for a muzzleloader but someone mentioned that iron would be innappropriate for such a device as it would spark powder. Thinking about it for myself I've never seen a ramrod that wasn't made out of a wood and brass combo.

I have no idea what it is but look forward to hearing any guesses.

Thanks,

Ted

[MesaBuddy]

Your welcome Ted , maybe we can get it figured out , it is really bugging me , I have seen the same item before sometime in my life but it is eluding me

MesaBuddy

[junkdigger]

It's a ramrod for a rifled musket. Maybe Civil War. Not much danger in using a steel rod,even with black powder. What would be dangerous would be bending or breaking a softer non-steel rod in the heat of battle!

[Monty]

It's shaped just like a pushrod for an internal combustion engine except it is really long. Monty

[Montana Jim]

Junkdigger is right... steel was used... and I think southernbandit mentioned it first. Good ID!

Read the first few paragraphs at this site and checkout the picture.
NOTE: I'm only verifying that STEEL was used as rammers here.

From the below site: " In addition the reported replacement by numerous regiments of wooden rammers with steel ones also confirms the universal use of the 1742 model in the French and Indian War. " ... British issue.

http://www.freehotsurf.com/nph-fhs.c...om/musket6.htm

[silverswede]

Great pictures Jim! I don't know if they're worth a 1000 words but they sure are the right ones. Makes it a great old relic for the finder too.

[Monty]

Excellent ID. I didn't think it was long enough so I am now at .045% correct again! :P Monty

[azgoldplacer]

Thanks for the ID junkdigger.

[Montana Jim]

Thanks for the ID junkdigger.

Don't forget southernbandit! I think he mentioned it first... junkdigger although DID agree and was right.

[azgoldplacer]

Don't forget southernbandit!

You're right! Thanks for ID!

[southernbandit]

Was just putting in my 2 cents worth and I saw one that looked just like it on the history channel the other night on an old smooth bore flint lock rifle.
Those pictures from Jim were Great! Sure helps when you can see it as it use to be.
Glad I could help,
bandit