River Finds . . . what the . . . ?? UPDATE

Valley Ranger · Sep 15, 2011

Got back on the river today with my diggin' partner, Doug Hill and made some great finds. A good number of CW bullets and musket balls - dropped and fired, percussion cap, etc. (Video coming soon.) But I also found these two non-ferrous items. When I pulled the first one out of the river (that's a quarter beside it), I thought it was a ear piece to a pair of glasses. Could be, but it seems to me to be too thick and heavy for that. It has some decorative design on it and some lettering on the back - some too faint to see, though I can make out what appears to be "OND" - maybe "LONDON"? The second piece looks like rolled up lead. Both of these were found in the vicinity of heavy Civil War activity. What do y'all think? (Pics are a bit out of order, the last one obviously is another of the find that looks like it could be an ear piece to a pair of glasses, if it weren't so thick.) Any ideas on either item would be appreciated.

UPDATE - Check out the last photo I found searching on the internet. Here's the description - (Note - that last photo is not a picture of mine):

"Medieval Bodkin. Silver, 3.61 grams; 69.25 mm. A beautiful example of a 15th Century bodkin used in the weaving process. The head has a typical Early Acorn Top with cross hatch decoration. The loop is elongated and shows signs of use making this a most interesting addition to any medieval collection. Very Fine condition. Ex. Kirkton collection."

Link: http://time-lines.co.uk/medieval-silver-bodkin-002266-8849-0.html

I think Derfel maybe on the the right trail. What do y'all think?

Quick$ilver · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

It almost looks like half of a pair of finger nail clippers...

johnnyblaze · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

Im trying to figure out why the hole is in it :icon_scratch:

That has to be a clue :read2:

One side of glasses seems possible :dontknow:

Put it in the what is it forum those guys are good :thumbsup:

Blaze

sharkman · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

O.S.
Looks like a handmade needle for sewing canvas sacks, or sails or just sewing leather. When I was a kid I made lots of needles for sewing up feed sacks. Lived on a farm....work....work!
Is it made out of silver??

Sharkman/Rod

JeepGuy · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

The long piece looks like a clock hand?

RELICDUDE07 · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

That thing is old.I think it's a sewing needle----for real

njnydigger · Sep 15, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

johnnyblaze said:
Im trying to figure out why the hole is in it

That has to be a clue

One side of glasses seems possible

Put it in the what is it forum those guys are good

Blaze

Arm for a pair of glasses. Blaze got it :thumbsup:

rob.s · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

Looks like a shank that's been used on someone and then tossed in the river :laughing7:

70monte68 · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

Looks like a letter opener.

mcb66 · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

Looks like a spoon that's been modified into a type of awl. Someone found a use for a broken spoon.

Dano Sverige · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

JeepGuy said:
The long piece looks like a clock hand?

I'm with you on this one! :thumbsup:

West Jersey Detecting · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

70monte68 said:
Looks like a letter opener.

catskillcomics · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

I believe what you have is a hand off a clock.

kevkirki · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

yep letter opener :icon_thumleft:

Valley Ranger · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

Thanks folks. I think we can rule out letter opener, though that's a good guess. I didn't post a side view, but its much too thick for that. It is the perfect length and shape for a glasses ear piece, but again, too thick and heavy. Just about all of the glasses I've seen from the 19th century and prior had light, wire type ear pieces. This thing is quite heavy and, again, thick. Now the suggestion it could be a hand off a clock is a possibility. I'll post a side view of the tip later this evening so you can see what I mean by the thickness of the item. Thanks for everyone chiming in!

No takers on the other item? :dontknow:

creskol · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

The arm thing has to be a lever off of a clipper of some sort .. finger nail clipper most likely.

Bell · Sep 16, 2011

Re: River Finds . . . what the . . . ??

I agree on early nail clipper. If its too thick and heavy for glasses I would think it too thick and heavy for a clock hand as well. Those are usually very thin and light as they must be continuously moved with precission by tiny gears etc.