✅ SOLVED Mystery Brass with “AR” Monograms - ID Help Needed

[RayLJ]

Hi everyone,

I was metal detecting in coastal South Carolina today - a section of the old Kings Highway on our property that has been in use for 250+ years. This site has produced many artifacts from the 1700s and 1800s.

I had a beautiful signal in the dead center of the old Kings Highway and unearthed an item that has me stumped but very eager to figure it out. It is made of quite sturdy solid brass and is concave with a hole in the top. The exterior is polished to a smooth finish and features decorative carving and script. Both sides of the object have matching “AR” monograms. The size of the object is about 2.5 in. long x 2.0 in. wide x 1.75” tall.

I queried AI and some of the suggestions were sword parts and caster wheel covers from high end furniture. I’ve not found any convincingly similar images to corroborate either of those suggestions. Any ideas would be so helpful!

Ray

 

[Jose The Goon]

To me, it looks like a pommel (cap) to an old sword hilt. The knob on top of the hilt to create a balance and keep the sword from slipping out of the swordsman's hand. "AR" are most likely the swordsman's initials. IMO

 

[ISmellGold]

Dunno, Maybe
Probably not as old as you think

 

[DizzyDigger]

Hi everyone,

I was metal detecting in coastal South Carolina today - a section of the old Kings Highway on our property that has been in use for 250+ years. This site has produced many artifacts from the 1700s and 1800s.
I had a beautiful signal in the dead center of the old Kings Highway and unearthed an item that has me stumped but very eager to figure it out. It is made of quite sturdy solid brass and is concave with a hole in the top. The exterior is polished to a smooth finish and features decorative carving and script. Both sides of the object have matching “AR” monograms. The size of the object is about 2.5 in. long x 2.0 in. wide x 1.75” tall.
I queried AI and some of the suggestions were sword parts and caster wheel covers from high end furniture. I’ve not found any convincingly similar images to corroborate either of those suggestions. Any ideas would be so helpful! Ray

Welcome to the site, Ray.

Looked at loads of antique casters, and almost all of them were offset, and I'm doubtful
your item is indeed a caster. Jose's idea is also interesting, but it would be an awfully small
hilt guard.

No matter what it actually is, it's most definitely a very cool find.

 

[russau]

How about 1/2 of a door knob ?

 

[DizzyDigger]

This one may require red Coat's expertise.

 

[creskol]

I am 99% sure that is a muzzleloader butt cap.

 

[ironhorse]

I am 99% sure that is a muzzleloader butt cap.

I'll give you the other percent!
I feel it's from a flintlock pistol more specifically from the butt of the grip of one....its what turns it into a club after the shot has been fired and you still need a weapon for defense or offense
The initials could be from the owner or issuer

 

[RayLJ]

I agree - these were the same issues I kept coming up with. Thank you for the help.

Welcome to the site, Ray.

Looked at loads of antique casters, and almost all of them were offset, and I'm doubtful
your item is indeed a caster. Jose's idea is also interesting, but it would be an awfully small
hilt guard.

No matter what it actually is, it's most definitely a very cool find.

 

[RayLJ]

I am 99% sure that is a muzzleloader butt cap.

Amazing! It looks like you’re absolutely correct. That would make sense why it is cast so heavily - it is partly a weapon of last defense. And the size and shape matches with it being from the butt of a pistol. Thank you!

 

[RayLJ]

I'll give you the other percent!
I feel it's from a flintlock pistol more specifically from the butt of the grip of one....its what turns it into a club after the shot has been fired and you still need a weapon for defense or offense
The initials could be from the owner or issuer

Pretty cool! I’d love to know who “AR” was! I’ll have to use my imagination. 😃 Thanks for your help to solve this.

 

[Red-Coat]

Agree with pistol butt cap. I could be wrong, but I see the monogrammed initials as 'AP' rather than 'AR'. Again, I'm not sure, but below the monogram there appears to be what might be a broad arrow ordnance mark indicating it to be British military issue. Very nice find.

 

[Gare]

What about a horse harness type bell (noise maker) ?_

 

[RayLJ]

Agree with pistol butt cap. I could be wrong, but I see the monogrammed initials as 'AP' rather than 'AR'. Again, I'm not sure, but below the monogram there appears to be what might be a broad arrow ordnance mark indicating it to be British military issue. Very nice find.

I thought the same at first, but on close inspection, it is an R rather than a P - the leg of the R is quite delicate where it connects.

I think you are on to something with the broad arrow ordnance mark (pheon mark)! In fact, I’ve just found online a nearly identical image that suggests the AR is for Queen Anne - Anna Regina.

 

[Red-Coat]

I thought the same at first, but on close inspection, it is an R rather than a P - the leg of the R is quite delicate where it connects.

I think you are on to something with the broad arrow ordnance mark (pheon mark)! In fact, I’ve just found online a nearly identical image that suggests the AR is for Queen Anne - Anna Regina.

Thanks for the better picture that shows the 'R' more clearly. I believe you're right. Well done again!

 

[creskol]

What a wonderful find! Outstanding!

 

[Jose The Goon]

I was just going to post that it might be a cap for a walking stick , but I see it has been solved !! Good job guys !!
Congrats on a great find RayLJ, and thanks for the great "insitu" picture.
Just for info, what is the hole in the top for on these old muzzleloaders? Does the ramrod go into the butt end of the firearm until it is needed to muzzle load ?
Or, did a screw or nail go there? Thanks in advance.
CHEERS !

 

[AU Seeker]

I was just going to post that it might be a cap for a walking stick , but I see it has been solved !! Good job guys !!
Congrats on a great find RayLJ, and thanks for the great "insitu" picture.
Just for info, what is the hole in the top for on these old muzzleloaders? Does the ramrod go into the butt end of the firearm until it is needed to muzzle load ?
Or, did a screw or nail go there? Thanks in advance.
CHEERS !

This is a pistol butt cap that goes on the bottom of the handle/grip, the hole is for a screw to secure the butt cap to the grip.

 

[Jose The Goon]

^ Thanks AU. May your quest for gold be fruitful in 2026 !!

 

[DizzyDigger]

I am 99% sure that is a muzzleloader butt cap.

Wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. The wisdom and experience available
here on TNet is absolutely priceless..