Armlet - Bracelet or Neither - Help Please 8-)

[Urban Farmer]

Hi - Need some help on this, not sure what it is exactly, anyone out there able to assist?

 

[Blak bart]

Does not look like any slave bracelet that ive seen, but who knows it could be ?
How big is it ? Possible ships fitting of some sort.

 

[ropesfish]

More facts would be helpful as well as a picture with a ruler or a coin or a hundred dollar bill for scale so we can tell how big it is.
What's it made of? If you don't know, is it magnetic?
Was it found in dirt, fresh water or salt water?
To help identify the material if unknown...What does it smell like? If it was found in water, different metals have different odors as they oxidize.
Pawn shops often have the equipment to identify metals and will do so inexpensively if not free.
Roughly where was it found?
All of these things will help folks make a more educated guess.

 

[Urban Farmer]

Does not look like any slave bracelet that ive seen, but who knows it could be ?
How big is it ? Possible ships fitting of some sort.

Thanks, I have added some more pics - for size - it has some engraved details on the rim, not sure if this would be something that would be added to a fitting but it might, what do you think - It is non magnetic - Found in Sea Water off Cape Town - No particular smell - reasonably heavy

 

[ivan salis]

likely a bronze or copper type slave bracelet -look at the engravings it might have "ownership" details etched into it

 

[Urban Farmer]

likely a bronze or copper type slave bracelet -look at the engravings it might have "ownership" details etched into it

Thanks - i found what looks like a stamp or engraving on the underside - not sure if I should clean it to make it clear - How would I put a date on this item - of any value would you have thought?

 

[ivan salis]

well the green tarnish tells me its got copper / bronze in it -- so if you clean it -- which is your choice but I strong say not to ..do so very carefully ..what you have might be a slave "ownership' mark (as in who owns the slave" that wore the bracelet) or a makers mark of who made the bracelet

 

[enrada]

One of a number of pieces set down on a deck to hold cannon balls(brass monkey)?

 

[JccEldreth]

I am leaning towards the brass monkey. Good guess.

 

[Darren in NC]

The markings are the main clue. They appear to be native American, so it could be related to the Ais (or Ays) people, or another nearby people. But did they do metal smithing after contact with the Europeans? I doubt it's related to cannon works, but possibly an armband. Seems the inside wouldn't be concave, but more flat if it were an armband to prevent chaffing. I would take it to a Native American expert at a local university and see what they may say.

 

[Blak bart]

Good eye darren I didnt notice those marks. Nice piece whatever it is. I started to think that the concave part would make it less likely to be a slave bracelet. Any type of chaffing would not be good, and slaves were very valuable so you would not want them to be damaged. The type of injury from wearing a piece like this would probaly lead to infection and eventually to death fairly quickly. I was starting to lean toward band of some sort. Maybe a spar or mast band, or barrel band or fitting off a swivel gun. Nice piece and a good mystery. Congrats urban farmer. I think the key to identification is the concave design on the inside of the band. I believe it was bent around somthing to lock it in position or place. Those marks are interesting and I agree with darren that they look native American in nature. Hmmm.......??