✅ SOLVED Part of an Old Rifle???

[Ed-D]

I saw a What Is It post a couple weeks ago where a correct identification of a whatizit was a part from an old rifle; something called an thimble inlet...aka an entry thimble. When I dug this up I thought maybe it was a handle from an old tool, but then again maybe not.

It's 4" long and made of brass.

 

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[ticm]

I saw a What Is It post a couple weeks ago where a correct identification of a whatizit was a part from an old rifle; something called an thimble inlet...aka an entry thimble. When I dug this up I thought maybe it was a handle from an old tool, but then again maybe not.

It's 4" long and made of brass.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=698234"/>

Looks like part a tent tie down.

 

[creskol]

Looks like part a tent tie down.

Right you are. a rope tensioner..properly termed a tent slip.

 

[Ed-D]

I'd say so. At first the picture you attached had slightly different dimensions, but looking at it again I'd say that's it. Thanks!

 

[duggap]

Right you are. a rope tensioner..properly termed a tent slip.

Thanks for posting that. Quite a few of our friends here think those are civilwar era, but your pic shows a patent date of 1880. What was used during the war was made of wood.

 

[creskol]

Thanks for posting that. Quite a few of our friends here think those are civilwar era, but your pic shows a patent date of 1880. What was used during the war was made of wood.

I know what you mean!! Ran Hundley from Sgt Riker's Civil War Relics has one of these for sale on ebay listed under Civil War-original period relics, so I asked him if they even existed during the Civil War as the earliest patent I could find dates them to 1880. His reply: "They did exist prior to the 1880 patent date. Many thousands have been found in Civil War Camps. Apparently someone patented the device after the war . . . hence the controversy. Ran"

 

[Ed-D]

I know what you mean!! Ran Hundley from Sgt Riker's Civil War Relics has one of these for sale on ebay listed under Civil War-original period relics, so I asked him if they even existed during the Civil War as the earliest patent I could find dates them to 1880. His reply: "They did exist prior to the 1880 patent date. Many thousands have been found in Civil War Camps. Apparently someone patented the device after the war . . . hence the controversy. Ran"

So what age would you put the one I found at?

 

[FoundInNC]

I have found these too. I am glad someone knew what they were! I knew they were old!

 

[creskol]

So what age would you put the one I found at?

Personally, I would date them no earlier than the patent suggests. The notion that just because something is found in a Civil War camp necessarily makes it of the Civil War period is a flawed notion.

 

[Ed-D]

Personally, I would date them no earlier than the patent suggests. The notion that just because something is found in a Civil War camp necessarily makes it of the Civil War period is a flawed notion.

The place I found it isn't known to be a civil war camp, but I suppose it could have possibly been used for training. Just no evidence of that. I also found what I think is a snuff can. I haven't posted that on TNet yet, but here it is:

 

[creskol]

I was referencing the reply from Ran. That looks like a cosmetic case.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Ed-D wrote:
> So what age would you put the one I found at?

Patented by the inventor in 1880. First ordered by the US Army in 1889, and issued for several decades thereafter. See the end of this post to view the official adoption-order by the Quartermaster General of the US Army, dated January 5, 1889.

Duggap is correct... what was used during the civil war was made of wood. Many photos from that war show soldiers at their tents. Not even ONE shows these metal tent-rope adjusters. In the civil war photos, they're all made of wood -- and therefore, distinctly larger than these metal ones. If you can find a definitely 1861-65 photo showing one, it'll be the first. Several civil war Researchers have tried, with no success.

Although Ran Hundley is a personal friend of mine, I have to say he is incorrect about this matter. I'll bring it to his attention. Apparently he is unaware of the lack of any in civil war photos, and the 1889 Quartermaster General document ordering their adoption by the US Army.

 

[Ed-D]

The one I found matches the No. 2 dimensions exactly and the place I've been hunting has been yielding late 1800's to early 1900's coins and relics. Very interesting stuff, I learn so much from this hobby and from you guys. Thanks!