Strangest item I ever owned (Brass Top Staff Ancient, Modern?)

magenta1

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Aug 20, 2013
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Found this in a barn in PA
Approximate 6ft tall.
Top is brass but soft (can be bent if pressure applied)
Very strange piece and I have no clue.

Vintage?

Help

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Upvote 11

peruna

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Maybe a rug or carpet beater?
If it were a bit wider and the metal were a bit sturdier, I would wholeheartedly concur...thinking you are on the money about it being utilitarian...and 19th century.
 

Finder Bear

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This is from the IOOF, Odd fellows for short. Here is a pic of one with a gavel inside. Similar to yours
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Finder Bear

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Yeah, this 3 links give away most everything IOOF. Much like the Square and Compass of the free masons it’s their signature emblem!
 

Finder Bear

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Those old ceremonial staffs from the IOOF and Masonic Lodges have some interesting history. Really neat find if you can pick them up for under $10 in my opinion. I have a large Masonic collection myself what i picked up through the years. Neat collectables with stories for sure.
 

HCW

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I was thinking theater prop , considering the soft metal. But with people chiming in about the Odd Fellows probably more likely ceremonial staff.
 

bologna321

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Trezurehunter

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Nice ID Bear. I'm an "odd fellow" (just not the fraternal order kind), why didnt I think of that ? Nice little find Magenta.
 

A2coins

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They were some very odd fellows
 

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