Brass Something

[bottlehunterofcoscob]

I found this brass item today about 3-4 inches down in a sports field. The field has yielded a few wheats, but I find mostly 60s-70s clad. I believe it could have been a farm field around the turn of the century. The piece in question has some design on it. Other than that, I'm not sure what else to say. Thanks for any help!

 

[pkb]

almost looks like a letter opener

 

[duggap]

I was wondering if it might be a toy sword without the hilt.

 

[BosnMate]

Butter knife -- letter opener -- something like that.

 

[bottlehunterofcoscob]

Thanks for the guesses guys, I really have no idea.

 

[Breezie]

How long is it? Is it solid brass or cast?


Breezie

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Might have been a blade on some type of weather vane, Interesting piece.

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

Could be the sword from some sort of decorative miniature knight art. Maybe a kid took the sword to play with and lost it.

 

[bottlehunterofcoscob]

I'm thinking now that it's some sort of decorative blade that came off of something. It's very thin brass. I'll have to get measurements on Sunday or Monday.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The reason I was thinking weather vane is it looks decorated one side only and it looks as though it was bent at one time in a half round, It would have sat below the directional part of the weather vane and been a spinner with 3 to 4 more spinners, I have seen a weather vane like what I describe on an old barn, the one I have seen even had the bar with the 2 knobs on the end.It would be a "C" shape.

 

[recondigger]

What about a flag pole topper from a school flag ? What nearby school names are there? Any called the knights? Dig until your arm falls off

 

[bottlehunterofcoscob]

What about a flag pole topper from a school flag ? What nearby school names are there? Any called the knights? Dig until your arm falls off

Hadn't thought of that, but the Knights and Vikings are nearby. I think it's either that or the piece from a weather vane.

 

[recondigger]

Have you ever found any barn or farm equipment parts in the sports field before? Have you looked on historicmapworks.com or other maps to see if there was a home site or barn on the property before it was a sports field?

Dig until your arm falls off

 

[bottlehunterofcoscob]

Have you ever found any barn or farm equipment parts in the sports field before? Have you looked on historicmapworks.com or other maps to see if there was a home site or barn on the property before it was a sports field? Dig until your arm falls off

I haven't checked maps, but I know there is a turn of the century farm house and a farm dump where I've found discarded farming equipment from the late 1800s to 1930s.

 

[TrickyVik]

Might be from a gate, some sort of a latch or hinge. Dig until your arms fall off.

 

[TrickyVik]

How long is it? Is it solid brass or cast?


Breezie

Yeah how long is that gate hinge.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Well IMO its definitely a decorative sword. You can clearly see the ferrule and the tang where the wood handle has rotted off. You may even find some wood inside the ferrule. Besides being brass, the short tang tells us the grip was not strong enough to be functional as a weapon.

Because its brass and decorative at that, the possibility exists that its an antique item. Isnt it too fat for a good letter opener? They just dont make brass toys anymore especially knives..

You should have something for size reference in the picture but I think I can judge size from part of your fingers. My best guess is a very old toy or fraternal organization or parade item. You will need to look carefully for any lettering to make a fraternal ID.

ADDED: It looks kinda cheaply made so maybe school/parade item or wall hanger.