brass thingie

Mainedigger · Apr 4, 2009

Hit a farm site from teh late 1700's, early 1800's and found this brass tube thing. At first I thought it was an old brass shotgun shell casing but after cleaning it up some I don;t know aht it is....

Any ideas? Thanks!!

IronSpike · Apr 5, 2009

Interesting piece :icon_scratch:

Is the small speck on left side of object dirt or a small hole? Is there another mark opposite side?

Could it be an attachment to an old train toy, or maybe a kitchen utensil of sorts? Maybe an attachment that would generate different designs depending on pattern on right side of object? Or did the pattern right side have more of a filter function?

thepoolguy · Apr 5, 2009

maybe a whistle or part of a musical instrument?

AU24K · Apr 5, 2009

A ferrule of some sort?
Scott

Mainedigger · Apr 5, 2009

IronSpike said:
Interesting piece

Is the small speck on left side of object dirt or a small hole? Is there another mark opesite side?

IronSpike...good eye!!! :thumbsup:

I never even noticed that hole and yes there is one on the opposite side as well as 2 more making a total of 4 holes evenly spaced around the perimeter of the end.
I also got playing with it a little and the insert on the end comes out...almost looks like a reed to a musical instrument but it makes no noise blowing on it...

Daddytopcat said:
A ferrule of some sort?
Scott

Scott....whats a ferrule??

IronSpike · Apr 5, 2009

Will the insert fit in tube if reversed?

Could it be some type of ink painting/writing device or maybe a tool to hold small pieces of paper or other objects?

mojjax · Apr 5, 2009

Maybe it's one of those horns that have a rubber bulb .

http://cgi.ebay.com/Replacement-Rub...7|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

AU24K · Apr 6, 2009

Defination of "ferrule"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrule
But after seeing latest posts, I'd say that it is maybe a part of some type of animal call for hunting.
Scott

Mainedigger · Apr 6, 2009

Daddytopcat said:
Defination of "ferruile"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrule
But after seeing latest posts, I'd say that it is maybe a part of some type of animal call for hunting.
Scott

That could very well be, someone on another forum suggested it may be an old duck call, and the area I found it in is prime duck hunting ground so that is possible.

burglarifyoulike · Apr 6, 2009

this is just an idea- there was something very similar looking in an old violin case that belonged to my father-in-lawws grandfather (maybe 100 years old or so). it "plays" one note only (maybe ''e") so that it is used to begin tuning the violin, or other instrument according to the startin note. i will try to find it and post a pic.

lostcauses · Apr 6, 2009

The inside item looks like a clicker to make noise. The out side looks to be a ferruile for holding some thing to a handle.

IronSpike · Apr 7, 2009

Musical reeds generally made of wood? Maybe a bag pipe piece?

Being brass maybe it some sort of steam whistle?

Bigcypresshunter · Apr 7, 2009

Why dont you blow into it and see if it sounds like a duck.

Mainedigger · Apr 7, 2009

bigcypresshunter said:
Why dont you blow into it and see if it sounds like a duck.

Doesn;t make any sound...maybe its an old dog whislte... :wink:

Bigcypresshunter · Apr 7, 2009

Does anyone have an old wooden duck call they could open up? http://www.antiquemystique.com/pages/6383_jpg.htm

IronSpike · Apr 7, 2009

Tag, sorry I mean bump

Item is brass and does appear to have been attached to something else. It would appear it was attached to a handle of sorts, but maybe it's the missing part that would make the item make a sound?