✅ SOLVED Duck Call?

[steelheadwill]

Hi all, This has the shape of a duck call, but none that I've researched have the brass leaf spring loaded hole cover, (flutists please tell me what these are called).
Anyone familiar with this design or is it something else? Thanks for looking

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I've seen quite a few vintage duck calls before.. can't say I have seen one like that.. Good luck on the ID

 

[BosnMate]

Looks more like a part of a musical instrument than a duck call to me. I'm thinking a broken part of a very old flute.

 

[Jeff H]

I don't know Herbie...maybe a spit valve from an old instrument

 

[ekeisler]

Maybe part of a clarinet

 

[steelheadwill]

Thanks all, will look at images of musical instruments.
The general shape, (many duck calls have this shape)
and the way the hand is used when calling ducks had me thinking the valve worked as hand motion does
love finding items with brass springs that still function. HH Everyone !!

 

[taz42o]

Looks like part of a flute.

Flute by Adam Geib, New York, ca. 1816-1827, at the National Music Museum

 

[steelheadwill]

Wow Taz, that is amazing. talk about a green check
I recommend that everyone visit Taz' link to see this item!
You've ID'ed my personal best banner find.
I dug this a few weeks back and unfortunately won't be able to recover those ivory ferrules because I don't recall the exact spot, If i did I would excavate buckets of mud for sifting...
It looks like one just fell off as the piece was dug.
It dates right along with the buttons recovered from this site,
First issue US Marines and Navy flats, and an 1820 Maine state militia.
Really impressed with your research prowess. Thank You

 

[BuckleBoy]

This has to be one of the coolest finds I've ever seen posted. Wow! Hope the wood can survive!

 

[taz42o]

Wood Conservation - Conservation Manual - Conservation Research Laboratory - Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation - Texas A&M University

 

[steelheadwill]

This has to be one of the coolest finds I've ever seen posted. Wow! Hope the wood can survive!

Thanks Buck and Taz,
I agree that this is one of my favorite recoveries.
Creskol had previously sent me a bottle of "Pentacryl"

I've used it several times on waterlogged wood and it is an outstanding product. after soaking in this, wood 'dries' with no noticeable shrinkage and it looks great.
When I get back to the target rich site I will surely keep my eyes peeled for the ivory rings, I remember now within 25 feet or so where I recovered this piece.
Thanks Everyone and HH All !! Herbie.

 

[steelheadwill]

First Call here was Bosunmates

Hats off to all of you who helped here! I will be back to the site with my 5' keene sluice, I think the rest of it may be in one piece. will update if I'm lucky !!

 

[steelheadwill]

Looks more like a part of a musical instrument than a duck call to me. I'm thinking a broken part of a very old flute.

BosunMate called the first ID, OUTSTANDING !!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Yah - BosnMate was right on that one... Least i ruled out Duck Call.... just trying to give myself credit for something

 

[Mekong Mike]

nice hairdoo on that duck... lol

 

[steelheadwill]

Nice One HutDigger, Here's one of my ducks, Travis. named of course after DeNiros Character,
and one of my nieces chickens, Nice Doo's both.

 

[CoilyGirl]

Nice find Will and looks like someone has bedhead this morning!

 

[steelheadwill]

Thanks Coily!

Here's the item after pentacryl soak and a week of drying. note lack of any shrinkage and retention of the light basswood color. Some rubbing with a soft cloth should make it look even better. will update when I recover the rest of the flute.
Thanks for the help everyone !!!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Congrats on this discovery and for being able to stabilize it for the future Herbie!
It's very gratifying to recover an item and be able to identify it!
Dave