mystery "not" colonial item

wstgo · May 24, 2011

mystery "not" colonial item

Found this at a colonial cellar hole in Ct, can't figure it out.
Can this be part of a old firearm?

steelheadwill · May 24, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

Maybe a furniture/chest handle that actuated a latching mechanism.

wstgo · Jun 11, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

it looks like brass, part of a lock maybe?

dozer dan · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

im thinkin, fold up non-slip carriage or buggy step

could even be from an old tractor or truck.

heres a couple pic's of modern ones

wstgo · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

Dan, not having seen a carriage step before I'm not really sure but this is not very large object.

dozer dan · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

dont know what im thinkin..........

just noticed the penny for comparison in your picture. maybe from a "childs" buggy or?

CRUSADER · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

This brass looking object is not colonial (so this will narrow the search) from what I can see, can't be much older than 1850 by style/manufacture & much later I would guess. Looks furniture related but the extended part confuses me :icon_scratch:

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

Could it be part of a sewing bird? Just a wild idea.

timekiller · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

Would not surprise me if it came off some kind of tankard.Thumb latch to pop the lid.I've not looked much but I've just got that feeling ya know. :wink:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

wstgo · Jun 12, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

Timekiller, I think you are getting closer to the truth

Beercanman · Jun 14, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

I'm definitely no expert but I guess it is furniture as well. The extended part makes me think that it is some sort of ring for pulling and the extension stops it from passing 90 degrees? It reminds me of types of pull handles that swing flush.

IronSpike · Jun 15, 2011

Re: mystery colonial item

steelheadwill said:
Maybe a furniture/chest handle that actuated a latching mechanism.

I'm with Herbie on this one. Maybe an icebox latch.

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 15, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

I guess a sewing clamp is out of the question. Is one of the holes threaded? :P http://www.textilekunst.de/english/wp-content/gallery/nah-delfin/113005_c_1-delphin_ganz.jpg

wstgo · Jun 15, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

The holes are not threaded :icon_scratch:

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 16, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

I think its possible to be an offset ice box latch handle. This is the only pic I could find.

Steelheadwill pretty much guessed it. Its a handle that locks with the offset extension.

wstgo · Jun 16, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

bigcypresshunter said:
I think its possible to be an offset ice box latch handle. This is the only pic I could find.

Steelheadwill pretty much guessed it. Its a handle that locks with the offset extension.

You are soooo close I think. This is only missing the offset extension.

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 16, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

wstgo said:
bigcypresshunter said:

I think its possible to be an offset ice box latch handle. This is the only pic I could find.

Steelheadwill pretty much guessed it. Its a handle that locks with the offset extension.

Click to expand...

You are soooo close I think. This is only missing the offset extension.

The shape is spot on except the offset but I can imagine how your offset can be used as a locking mechanism. I would imagine in the days before refrigeration, everyone had an ice box in the cellar. I think this is your ID. An ice box latch.

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 16, 2011

Re: mystery "not" colonial item

A second look at your picture and I believe the offset extension is inside the mechanism. Its the extended piece that makes it operate. Try to find one dissassembled. They are made right hand RH and left hand LH.