Any civil war weapons experts out there? What are the chances that it's the knurled screw adjustment knob for making sight adjustments on a rifle... or... any other adjustablle equipment componant from that time? I was thinking medical equipment (like Michelle pointed out), weapon, optics... whatever...
Seems the two threaded areas on the neck adjusted soemthing when turned.
But... if it ends up that daddytopcat is correct, then I agree with him! 8)