Barrel Tap Part??

N.J.THer · Jul 17, 2010

I'm posting this after reading one of Hispan's posts.

These two finds are from two completely different sites and they don't fit together but my question is do you think the decorative handled item with the hole through is from a barrel tap? I originally thought it might be from some sort of gas lamp.

Here are the pictures:

Thanks for looking

NJ

timekiller · Jul 17, 2010

Sure looks like it to me! I have one (Valve)but with out the decorative top but is shaped the same.Don't know if mine has the hole in the bottom though. :icon_scratch:

But do think the shape gives it away!

BuckleBoy · Jul 18, 2010

IMO the two pieces are 100 years apart in time frame. The bottom is cerainly a tap, but the top piece I think is gas lighting (perhaps wall sconce) related, and either late 1800s or early 1900s. Pieces from those barrel taps were generally non-decorated. They were utilitarian items. In fact, this would be the first I have ever seen that was decorated. The thing that generally went down into those taps at that point was a stubby little brass key. Usually the keys had flanges on both sides.

Cheers,

Buckles

N.J.THer · Jul 18, 2010

Thanks guys

Buckles,
That is what I was thinking but minus the decorative top it looked very similar to a barrel tap handle. It was found at a site that has produced coins from the late 1600s to present so it covers a wide timeframe.
Thanks again
NJ

timekiller · Jul 18, 2010

I agree that they are from different time frames. :thumbsup:

But not that they didn't make decorative spigot valves.And not all needed a key.But Buckleboy might know best as I've only found that part and some pieces of the spigot it self.And not ever thought much about it.But do think it still could be a piece of a spigot.Is the bottom of yours threaded

It would be like these first three pics.sorta I'm thinking!Could be from a Samovar? :icon_scratch:

After looking at some gas valves I think Buckleboy has the best answer for your piece!Although many gas valves used keys also so I'm getting out of this while the getting is good :laughing7:

It will be the last pic. down.I guess the valve part were made very close in over all shape.
Thanks Buckleboy,for setting things straight! :thumbsup:

99.9% sure it's part of a valve though :icon_scratch:

Take Care! :hello:

BuckleBoy · Jul 18, 2010

Timekiller,

Thanks for the photo at the top! Is that a European find, or a US find?

I had never seen a decorated tap handle before. And yes, you are correct--they did have handles as well as keys.

(I still think this one is gas-related though. These turn knobs are so common in turn-of-the-century homes, and they look almost exactly the same as the piece in question. :wink:

)

timekiller · Jul 18, 2010

BuckleBoy said:
Timekiller,

Thanks for the photo at the top! Is that a European find, or a US find?

I had never seen a decorated tap handle before. And yes, you are correct--they did have handles as well as keys.

(I still think this one is gas-related though. These turn knobs are so common in turn-of-the-century homes, and they look almost exactly the same as the piece in question. )

Thanks for getting him straight I knew it was a valve.The one in my hand is one I found here and have some parts to the spigot it self.But are a rare find for me in these parts here on the coast.Colonial finds yes but for some reason never found much spigot or barrel tap parts. :icon_scratch:

So never thought much about them really.
I was just looking at how many spigot type valves they are could be confusing to get into I would think! :laughing7:

But had got into the samovar type spigots and now see that it really could be confusing.Never been over seas.I wouldn't get nothing done over there be detecting all the time.

Anyway,
Take Care!

N.J.THer · Jul 19, 2010

Thanks guys and some great photos...I was leaning towards gas lamp but was hoping for barrel tap.

Thanks again

NJ

HISPAN · Jul 20, 2010

Hello friend ... both are " Barrel Tap" the first is the 18th century (top) and second (bottom) is clearly of the 19th century.
I will classify under the name " Barrel Tap " that 99% this use. very few were used to dispense the gas. I show some found by me. :hello:

tuatara · Jul 21, 2010

Hello friend ... both are " Barrel Tap" the first is the 18th century (top) and second (bottom) is clearly of the 19th century.
I will classify under the name " Barrel Tap " that 99% this use. very few were used to dispense the gas. I show some found by me.

Hispan knows better about the upper one (the key). As for the barrel tap itself I confirm that it's clearly ca 19th century.