Knife Ferrule? If so any idea on how old?

[paleomaxx]

Found this at a new site within a few feet of a batwing buckle and leather rivets. It looks a bit like a knife ferrule, but I've never seen one like it before.



It's brass and no marks or writing. It has that odd little valley across the slit and it's very heavily cast. Any thoughts?

 

[relic lover]

More like a feral to a larger tool of some sort

sent from my computer by frantically poking at the keyboard with a single finger

 

[taz42o]

Sythe handle ferrule.

 

[taz42o]

I guess the correct name is "nib block"