Odd brass object with 1877

[7creeks]

Found this at an old 1800's home site. I have no clue what it could be. Its 1" long by 3/4" by 3/4". Anyone have a guess?

 

[trikikiwi]

Interesting find. It reminds me of a pencil sharpener.

 

[Ocean7]

well I'd say it had a rod or handle attached to it, and was used like a wrench on farm equipment. or was actually part of some machine used for farming. SWAG.

 

[johnnyi]

total guesss but maybe electrical connector () with head of set screw broken off. (could three marks on end be vestiges of attempts to tighten or loosen at one time

 

[tamrock]

Maybe some kind of older copper electrical grounding cable bond or splice. The 1877 could also be a part number? Looks like a cut piece of solid copper cable or copper set screw of some kind is still in it? Was there a railroad close by?

 

[7creeks]

This could be it....

 

[tamrock]

View attachment 1040728This could be it....

That is it. A (lighting rod coupling).. I vote solved. Good work

 

[cudamark]

By the looks of it, it performed it's job a few times!

 

[Hendo0601]

I have seen those before....they used to run lightning rods up old trees rather than the house. When I was a kid I always wondered what they were. Neat find!!