Brass Pointy thing

[mrtwintower]

Found this at an area that might have been a fort. Is this a millitary item? It seems to made of copper or brass with the patina. Thanks for any help!

 

[RelicHunter97]

Partial (?) ramrod guide

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Partial (?) ramrod guide

It looks complete. Nice find.

 

[RelicHunter97]

Yes I couldn't tell from the angle.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Its from a British musket I think..

 

[mrtwintower]

I think you guys nailed it. I've never heard of one before and not sure how it was used but can now do some more research. thanks much!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think you guys nailed it. I've never heard of one before and not sure how it was used but can now do some more research. thanks much!

Looking at this diagram, its #404. As Relichunter said, its a ramrod guide. It was attached to the underside of an old flintlock musket barrel to hold the ramrod. I dont know what years or what musket this was used on but it matches the British Brown Bess, 1700s era.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Mrtwintower wrote:
> I've never heard of one before and not sure how it was used [...]

Here is a parts-diagram for the 1700s-era "Brown Bess" British army musket (.75-caliber), which shows your exact ramrod-guide (also called a ramrod "tube"), including where yours was located on the musket. Look for part #21 in the diagram. You'll see it is exactly what you found. The Brown Bess was the primary Military musket used by the British here in the US during the American Revolution and the War-of-1812.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

LOL! Bigcypresshunter and I were working at the same time, on posting the same diagram ...although his has different numbering than mine.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

We think alike.

 

[mrtwintower]

Thank you very much guys. It is hard to imagine how that item turned up in a field in minnesota. If that piece could only talk!

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

And I thought it was a pointy brass thing.
Great ID, people!
Carl

 

[DirtDigler]

It's still a brass pointy thing, but now it has a history. Wonder what explorers, or trappers could've dropped it? Lewis and Clark came through a bit farther south, I think. You might wanna go back and see if you can find more parts...