Mississippi Mystery Item

[Ripcon]

Here's an item I dug in central Mississippi that looks to be a cross between a key and a small door knob. Any help or guesses as to what this is or what it went to?

 

[creskol]

Hmmm.. did they make brass spinning wheel parts? It reminds me for some reason of these wooden pieces.

 

[lairmo]

I'm thinking from a stringed instrument

Turning peg?:

 

[ARC]

I like the tuning key theory...

OP can you see if there is a "hole" anywhere through it... it would be small.

 

[ARC]

After quick ref search it has a similar "look" to tuning key but I did not see the "function criteria" matching up.

 

[HuntinDog]

I would say Wax Seal with interchangable heads

Here's one that looks like it will have replaceable heads.

 

[Tony in SC]

Weather vane/lightning rod related?

 

[Rookster]

I still like the tuning peg idea. Even without a string hole the string could be wrapped on the instrument. Just an opinion.

 

[Ripcon]

More photos showing different angles

Here's some photos showing the top of the piece with visible screw threads.
The other photo is looking into the bottom end.

 

[Ripcon]

I'm beginning to like the wax seal theory. Just got to find a similar item to compare it to.
Any other ideas out there?

 

[Mudflap]

Gaslight valve maybe....

 

[Ripcon]

Maybe?

You may be right about the gas light valve too.
I did find this picture of a brass Victorian wax seal that looks similar. Maybe I'm just wanting it to be a wax seal too bad but keep the ideas coming.
Thanks!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Here's some photos showing the top of the piece with visible screw threads.
The other photo is looking into the bottom end.

View attachment 1662527
View attachment 1662528

The threads could be where guitar strings dug into it from tightening.Obviously I am leaning towards it being a tuning peg (friction type).Mandolin, banjo,fiddle (violin) or ukulele.

 

[callicles]

The threads could be where guitar strings dug into it from tightening.Obviously I am leaning towards it being a tuning peg (friction type).Mandolin, banjo,fiddle (violin) or ukulele.

I think you are on to something. That’s a pretty good guess, I think. Maybe to a banjo or fiddle?

 

[Ripcon]

I think you are on to something. That’s a pretty good guess, I think. Maybe to a banjo or fiddle?

I found it at a Union camp site so it's entirely possible that a soldier had a stringed instrument to entertain in camp. Thanks for the guesses and opinions. I would never had guessed a stringed instrument tuner.

 

[Hawks88]

Interesting. Here is my 2 cents. I think the head is not tightened down all the way and that’s why the thread is showing. Secondly near the end of the stem it looks like two raised ridges that might have held an O ring. So I’m saying it is some sort of a push pull mechanism to allow something to flow through when it is in the out position and shuts off when pushed in.

 

[A2coins]

Tuning peg was my first guess before reading any replies

 

[ARC]

Ok...

I am gonna place a bet on a tuning key peg...

After reviewing some photographs of guitars and stringed instruments closely I have seen a difference in modern guitar running pegs and 1800's styles...

As shown in these following photos...

NOW,,, the ONLY WAY to confirm this or not is for the OP to clean in the groove with a soft wire brush or toothbrush and toothpaste (old one would serve OP better :P )

IF there is a small hole... tis a tuning peg... IF not.. tis something else.

My guess is... it has a hole in the groove. but ?

 

[Madmox]

The threads could be where guitar strings dug into it from tightening.Obviously I am leaning towards it being a tuning peg (friction type).Mandolin, banjo,fiddle (violin) or ukulele.

I don't think it is a tuner. Old tuners are generally taper fit. There is no way for this to stay tight. Further there is no hole to thread the string through. I'm leaning towards gas light valve