Plummets

[The Grim Reaper]

(I was asked to show some of my older pieces so I'm going to bump up a few of my posts so they can see them rather than post them again)




Adam Agusti and I were discussing Plummets on Facebook and I took some new pictures of mine to show him so I thought I might as well post them here as well. All of these are personal finds except for two of them.

In the 2nd picture the one laying sideways in the top row and the one to the far right in the middle row are not personal finds. The top one I got in a collection I bought when I was 17 and it was first time I had ever seen a Plummet and had no clue what it was. The other was a gift from my sister in law for helping her get her fathers collection in order after he passed away. All others are personal finds.

 

[tomclark]

[RL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tomclark/media/plum/AlbrtoPlum2.jpg.html]

[/URL]tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/tomclark/plum/PlumMX051508d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tomclark/media/plum/plummet6a.jpg.html]

[/URL]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/tomclark/plum/plummet6a.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

 

[GatorBoy]

Woah.. that one with the shell bead is top shelf!

 

[Charl]

Have you ever seen another plum that big? I certainly have NOT!! I think that piece is far to big to be a weight for fishing. I also think its over sized for use as a loom weight. What were these mysterious things used for?? May never know.

I agree with you. On the one I posted, how would the cordage not just slip off easily? How could it be used as a secure weight at all? Here are plummets from Ma. And Maine, all in the 6-8 inch long size range....

 

[ROCKateer]

Rack, fishing is still fishing. Plums are often found this size and shape.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=866672"/>

I assume. I never have found one. This is a led sinker. The #2 probably already told that. Lol! I find them and use them where I cat fish, in about 100 foot waters. The salt water ones aren't much larger than the one I posted. Could you imagine pulling in a 70-100 pound catfish using that monster plum as a weight? Geez! Lol! That would tear a Zebco 33 to pieces. I'm pretty sure the Zebco 33 is the spinner natives used. Lol! All jokes aside, that large plum could be a ceremonial sized plum, not used as the smaller ones would have been. Perhaps made out of thankfulness for the creation of the ones that were used in everyday life. I'd imagine a man creating tools from stones would be pretty thankful for any creation that simplified life and accessing food. We never have had to rough it and it seems every generation becomes less and less gracious for the technologies we are blessed with. I think I'll go make a huge iPhone ceremonial piece! I'm thankful for my pocket computer! Lol!

Yes most certainly!! And those weights are hand melted in a form for six different weights all to be made with a device like this historical one?.

 

[NC field hunter]

Yes most certainly!! And those weights are hand melted in a form for six different weights all to be made with a device like this historical one?.

That's pretty cool! I hate to hijack this thread with modern stuff but, I have a question for you Rockateer. Have you ever seen a led weight like this?







Found while hunting artifacts.

 

[GatorBoy]

Greenstone found halfway down Florida's east coast by my good friend.



I doubt this was used for fishing

 

[Johnny X]

Closest I've ever come to a whole one.

 

[catherine1]

Nice Collection Steve. Have yet to find one! Nice artifacts!

 

[GatorBoy]

I agree with you. On the one I posted, how would the cordage not just slip off easily? How could it be used as a secure weight at all? Here are plummets from Ma. And Maine, all in the 6-8 inch long size range....

This makes me think of an analogy having to do with ships and Captains.
What is a very useful and necessary object aboard a ship?
..an anchor ... not very pretty sometimes just homemade hunk of lead and iron.
What do many ship captains wear around their neck?
...an anchor... usually gold and beautiful but would never hold a vessel in place.
So..it may be with the plummet.

 

[kuger]

Have you ever seen another plum that big? I certainly have NOT!! I think that piece is far to big to be a weight for fishing. I also think its over sized for use as a loom weight. What were these mysterious things used for?? May never know.

..there have been very similar net weights(for fish,ducks,and rabbits)that big found out here......not in any way,shape,fashion,or form saying thats what these are....lord knows I dont want anymore pizzing contests.....

 

[NC field hunter]

..there have been very similar net weights(for fish,ducks,and rabbits)that big found out here......not in any way,shape,fashion,or form saying thats what these are....lord knows I dont want anymore pizzing contests.....

My good buddy Kuger, you don not have to worry about a pizzing contest with me. I'll be the first to admit I'm throwing darts in the dark. Not only with plums, but with artifacts in general for the most part. Lol!

 

[GatorBoy]

I'll bet a dollar it's not a blunt.

 

[tomclark]

 

[Charl]

..there have been very similar net weights(for fish,ducks,and rabbits)that big found out here......not in any way,shape,fashion,or form saying thats what these are....lord knows I dont want anymore pizzing contests.....

Yes, California is well known for it's "charmstones" in all sizes and exceptionally well made and of unknown purpose.
Here is the suggested hafting for the small ones used as a line weight. But, doesn't mean they were used this way, IMHO. In many cases, I for one cannot understand how the cordage could remain attached to a tiny knob. In this illustration, the knob is defined enough to perhaps work this way, but in general they seem like an insecure form of weight. Look at the one I posted earlier. How does a cord remain securely attached to such a knob??

 

[kuger]

Now thats what I like,humor,camaraderie and some fantastic info Charl and Tom!!!Thanks!!!!

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Nice one Gator.

 

[GatorBoy]

Thank you

 

[NC field hunter]

Nice Gator! Congrats!!

 

[painterx7]

Nice piece gator !!!