Re-found this today

[No gold in NY]

Cleaned out a closet and made this find. Have had it many years, don't know where I found it.

It is 6 and a quarter inches long. The bone like end could be plastic. The tip appears to be metal. Could be tin or lead.

Any help? Thanks

 

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[DCMatt]

Does it open up or pull apart? Maybe a sewing kit or needle case...

 

[bowwinkles]

you could beat on Ur tom tom with that device.

 

[No gold in NY]

DCMatt.... No, it is solid

bowwinkles... That is kinda what I was thinking. NA Indian artifact??

 

[ticndig]

Homemade turkey call

 

[No gold in NY]

Ticndig....
I don't know about a turkey call. Very similar, but I looked them up. Pretty simple things. Saw a home made one from a pill bottle. A lot of fine carving and work went into this item. I'm kinda leaning toward what bowwinkles said. I'm going to try it out on a piece of slate and see if it squawks.

 

[CRUSADER]

I've seen similar priests for killing fish.

 

[DCMatt]

IMO it’s too short to use to beat a drum. My son is a percussionist and I’ve bought lots and lots of drumsticks and mallets over the years.

Maybe a honey dipper? It’s exactly the right size and shape. Although most are carved from wood.

 

[dts52]

Maybe a starter for a muzzleloader? It’s used to push the bullet and wad far enough down the muzzle for the ramrod to be used. Most black powder guys make their own starter. Just a guess.
dts

 

[No gold in NY]

dts52...
I can see where you are coming from here after looking up muzzleloader starters. The business end of my item is 7/8 inch diameter. Are barrels that large?

 

[dts52]

dts52...
I can see where you are coming from here after looking up muzzleloader starters. The business end of my item is 7/8 inch diameter. Are barrels that large?

If the thinner end is 7/8” then I am fairly certain it is not for a muzzle loader.
dts

 

[CRUSADER]

Still think the priest is worth some research. I have seen them weighted with lead to give the fish a good bash.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Maybe the pestle from mortar and pestle....?

 

[gemee]

you could beat on Ur tom tom with that device.

OWWWWWW! Wouldn't that HURT??

 

[No gold in NY]

Still think the priest is worth some research. I have seen them weighted with lead to give the fish a good bash.

I looked priest up "A mallet to kill fish." Took a lot of skill to carve this wood and bone and pour l assume it is lead into the end.
Wouldn't a sawed off claw hammer work just as well? I could accept this answer if it was made and used by an American Indian. Is there any way to tell if this is an artifact?