Ink tamper? Pestle ?

[steelheadwill]

Hello,
I dug this a while back,
Head appears to be lead. so probably not a pestle.
Thinking an ink tamper, wrapped in cloth and used to apply the ink to print plate..
Seems a bit small for this, but I have found several small lead handbill and art printplates. it would be the right size tool for these.
total length, 2-3/4", 1-1/4' across the head.
Thanks for looking

 

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[Breezie]

What about a mammy-made pipe tamper? People didn't know the dangers of lead back then. Nice find, Breezie

 

[stefen]

Kinda big for a tobacco tamper...

 

[steelheadwill]

What about a mammy-made pipe tamper? People didn't know the dangers of lead back then. Nice find, Breezie

Thanks Breezie
I usually don't 'Whatsit' til I find two of an item, this seemed a special case.
The head was cast with a socket that fits the 'forked' wooden handle.
(more surface area for adhesive? I should have photographed this before I reassembeled & glued it together)
Maye a custom tamper for a large pipe, but it is quite a heavy item to carry in a pocket.
Much leadwork & casting happened at the site where found.
Great idea of yours I read lately about talcum powder to bring out details
put it to work immediately on items in my 'best silver day' post. HH

 

[DCMatt]

Could it be a musket tompion?

DCMatt

 

[Woodland Detectors]

It almost resembles a tiny furniture pull.

 

[traderoftreasures]

Is the "handle" hollow?

 

[steelheadwill]

There is a small hole in the stem that looks like a place for a cotter pin?

The handle is solid.
There are two small -1/16" through holes at 90' to each other in the handle just above the lead part. just noticed these, they were partially filled with dirt.

 

[High Plains Digger]

The slot and the bifrication of the hole indicates to me that it was meant to twist and turn without the head turning on the handle, being firmly attached to the handle. Sort of like extra support.

 

[traderoftreasures]

Hello,
I dug this a while back,
Head appears to be lead. so probably not a pestle.
Thinking an ink tamper, wrapped in cloth and used to apply the ink to print plate..
Seems a bit small for this, but I have found several small lead handbill and art printplates. it would be the right size tool for these.
total length, 2-3/4", 1-1/4' across the head.
Thanks for looking

only problem with that theory is that it must be new, cause no ink stain is visible

 

[steelheadwill]

Hello,
I dug this a while back,
Head appears to be lead. so probably not a pestle.
Thinking an ink tamper, wrapped in cloth and used to apply the ink to print plate..
Seems a bit small for this, but I have found several small lead handbill and art printplates. it would be the right size tool for these.
total length, 2-3/4", 1-1/4' across the head.
Thanks for looking

only problem with that theory is that it must be new, cause no ink stain is visible

Thanks Trader,
Never thought of that...
maybe one or two centuries in a salt bath could have bleached it
Tough nut here.. I appreciate everyones input

 

[njguy]

Could be a handmade hand-held fishing rod.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Could be a handmade hand-held fishing rod.

I'll go along with that, butt section of a fishing Rod, perhaps the bottom detached to make a priest

SS

 

[steelheadwill]

Insert on a long pole acting as counterbalance

 

[njguy]

Could be a handmade hand-held fishing rod.

I'll go along with that, butt section of a fishing Rod, perhaps the bottom detached to make a priest

SS

I was thinking more along the lines of an early hobo handline for a child.

Not to sound like a psychic or anything, but was this found 'near water' like a lake or river?

 

[steelheadwill]

Could be a handmade hand-held fishing rod.

I'll go along with that, butt section of a fishing Rod, perhaps the bottom detached to make a priest

SS

I was thinking more along the lines of an early hobo handline for a child.

Not to sound like a psychic or anything, but was this found 'near water' like a lake or river?

It surely was... Tidal inlet, lots of fishing activity.