Ill tell you what it is not....

[johnnyi]

I'll tell you what it is not....

It is not a "coat hook". It is far too thin and fragile (besides it would make one nasty hole in any coat!).

It was found at a site of exclusively colonial relics.

It is cast brass, broken off at its widest part, and has a very thin taper going to the small end.

There is even wear (not isolated) on the inside curve (measured by caliper) showing it probably hooked something, or something rode over it.

 

[mojjax]

Re: I'll tell you what it is not....

Mojjax, that looks like a great book. What is the name of it? I think your's is the kind of source that might explain this thing eventually, particularly if there's some chapter on brass items. Your examples show the huge variations in the simplist of objects. They are iron and forged however, so they don't apply to this particular object, but thank you. By the way, are there any colonial "coat hooks" in there?

How about a handle to a Brass Candle Snuffer Stand ?
No , the book doesn't have any coat hooks .

 

[mojjax]

Re: I'll tell you what it is not....

Or maybe it's part of a Goffering Iron Stand ?

 

[johnnyi]

Re: I'll tell you what it is not....

mojjax, thanks so much for the information on the book! That's that kind of book we all need and I'll be looking for it. Maybe it is something like a candle snuffer stand or something similar, as wear could come as easily from hanging a handle over a spike as anything else. Boy, there were so many things we didn't even know existed back then! Who ever heard of a "goffering iron" let alone a stand to hold it. I may not discover what this little piece of brass is right away, but now I've learned what a goffering iron is. That's why I love this what is it forum!

 

[mojjax]

Re: I'll tell you what it is not....

How about part of a Scale ?

 

[mojjax]

Re: I'll tell you what it is not....

Or maybe it's a bird cage hook