Found this along an 1860s gold rush route

[bcboy]

Hi everyone, I was detecting an area a few days ago that was a gold rush route around the 1860s and my second find is this "what is it find?" relic. I believe its made of brass, it has two boat carvings on it and the top of it is threaded. It is pretty heavy for its size. I have no idea what it is or how old it is. The chinese were in this area in the 1860s so im guessing its chinese oriented because one of the boats carved into it has on its sail a chinese/japanese logo. I think theres something inside as its pretty heavy but theres no movement of anything inside when i shake it and i do not want to try and force it open incase i damage it. My guesss is it might be some kind of gun powder holder and the powder inside has hardened being in there for so many years? Just my guess. If anyone knows what this is i would appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

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[tomhighland]

Sure hope someone can identify your relic. It has a lot of detail. Cool find, congratulations.

 

[trapperart]

No help with ID but congrats on a nice find

 

[treblehunter]

Sorry I don't know what it is, interesting find, good luck on the ID.

 

[ajaj]

What an interesting find! I can't help with the ID, but I am going to wait for the experts to chime in. Now, when you say, "open it", how does this thing open?

aj

 

[d2]

With one of the edges being reeded I bet it unscrews...d2

 

[Trezurehunter]

Dont know on the ID, but its a very cool relic.

 

[NHBandit]

I'm tending to agree with the powder flask theory. Is there a hole in the threaded end ?

 

[Rustic]

That is an awesome find. I hope someone can tell you what it is.

 

[dirtdigginfool]

Was thinking Asian origin due to the "Rising Sun" design...but idk BC....but definitely a very cool find! Good save, waiting for the brass thingy experts to chime in to see what it is...ddf

 

[BigWaveDave]

How about an old spice grinder, similar to this, but missing a few parts?...
Google oriental spice grinders....

 

[Calabash Digger]

cool find! cant wait for id

 

[beerguy]

Wow! Great find, whatever it is.

 

[Agent Green]

Congrats!! neat relic

 

[bcboy]

Hi there, just an update to some of the replys, there is no hole in the top of the threaded piece and the bottom part is reeded and the top is not. It seems that the brass fitting on the top of the brass threaded piece will unscrew off it and the top round flat piece should lift off but I'm not going to try, not yet anyways. Very curious to see what's inside. Thanks for the replys.

 

[beerguy]

I cannot wait until this gets identified.

Maybe it is the crackhead in me, but could it be an opium container?

It has to contain something, since there is no natural ingress without opening it.

 

[huntsman53]

Don't know what it is but curiosity would get the best of me if I found it! Could there be Gold stored inside? If that was possibly the case, it would probably be Gold dust that got wet and is dried and caked on the inside. If it is Opium, then one snort and you will likely not care anymore what is inside!


Frank

 

[relic lover]

I like the idea of there being gold inside. Either way that's a very interesting piece and a great find

 

[KENTUCKYWONDER]

Reminds me of a counter balance for a pulley ceiling lamp or perhaps a desk lamp.

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Wow .. far out