✅ SOLVED brass relic

[bigjake65]

I found this odd brass relic in North Carolina and have no idea what it could be. there are no markings or anything on it either. its about 6 inches long.

 

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[Deftone]

Welcome to TNet. Maybe a weather vane or lightning rod topper.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Flag pole finial? Is it brass?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I'm going with "lightning-rod finial" (a.k.a. top), for two reasons. (1) Although it is the shortest one I've seen, it has the same triangular-bladed form as the one shown in the photos below. (2) It is thick brass which is oddly twisted without showing any signs of being hammered-on or gripped with tongs/pliars to do the twisting. It actually looks like it got lightning-struck.

 

[A2coins]

Looks like wicked weapon!!!

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet also thanks for posting your finds!!!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Another vote for lightning rod tip.

 

[DCMatt]

Cultivator tine.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I wouldn't think that brass would be used that much in lightning rods because it is a poor conductor of electricity.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Actually, brass is an excellent conductor of electricity. The prongs of most electrical cord plugs are made of brass. Also, if you examine a typical household electrical receptacle, you'll see that two of the contact-screws in it are made of brass.

Apparently, the finials of lightning-rods were made of copper or brass or "copperbrass" (high copper content brass) because those metals conduct electricity quite well AND they do not corrode in the air, so they stay in good electrical contact with the iron lower body of the rod.

If you enlarge my previous photo of a complete "triangle-blade" lightning rod, you'll see the classic green copper/brass patina. Here are photos of another version of lightning rod finial which are even shown in an early (1960s/70s) civil war relic identification book as a "Confederate Flagpole Top."

As you see in the photos, their color shows they are brass/copperbrass/copper.

 

[Goldfinger450]

Flag pole top? it looks like a blade may have hit it a few times? Possible part of a whale Harpoon?

 

[dognose]

I concur, lightning rod topper.

Garden tools would not be made of brass I dont think.

 

[ArDirtSlinger]

I believe CBG nailed it!!

 

[bigjake65]

Thanks for the help everyone. esp. cannonball. lightning rod finial for sure! solved.

 

[cudamark]

Looks like a leaf off a brass plant to me.....