Civil Era Whistle?

[treasurehunter313]

I did not find this item. My sister who is in Missouri texted me asking what it is. A guy she works with found it in Spring River in Kansas while fishing. I guess there was some Civil War activity near there. I don't know if it's related or not. The item is a couple inches long. She said it looks like a bird is engraved at the top. She also said the pipe is hollow with three holes "like a whistle". My title may be completely off, but I found it very interesting and would like to learn about what it is. I'll try to get better pictures if possible. Thanks for looking!!

 

[SC-Ric]

Looks very similar to a Navy Bosun's pipe.

 

[treasurehunter313]

The guy who found it says it is made of copper and part of it looks to have had gold plating. I'm not sure how accurate that is.

 

[willkirb]

Not sure if this works or not, but here is the piece a little closer up.

 

[treasurehunter313]

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1022847"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1022849"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1022853"/> Not sure if this works or not, but here is the piece a little closer up.

looks good thanks for posting more pictures. I'm interested in finding out what it is.

 

[Caryl]

Looks very similar to a Navy Bosun's pipe.

yup. Also antique dog whistles,,, very similar

 

[olroy70]

to small for a whistle, I think

 

[Sentrom]

Maybe a locking pin.

Aliexpress.com : Buy Brass Locking pin Chinese Furniture Hardware Cabinet Door Trunk Box Latch Copper 8.5 cm from Reliable door and window hardware suppliers on Chinese hardware

 

[willkirb]

Here are a few more pictures of the item in question.

 

[trikikiwi]

I suggest it is a balance. Such as used for opium or maybe Gold.

Edit: I'm having trouble loading a pic, but here is link to a balance of a similar principle.

https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/185444985/antique-complete-cast-iron-farm-scale?ref=market

 

[cw0909]

could be part of a balance, missing the pan and weight
Rare Brass Antique Victorian Hanging Balance Scale Single Pan from faywrayantiques on Ruby Lane

more here
Mercantile, Trades & Factories - Scales | Antiques Browser

 

[willkirb]

I'm going to agree with you guys that its some sort of balance arm of a small scales. The notches just seem to fit for adjusting weights.