Solid brass piece, 1860s homesite

[DetectorMoe]

I just found this at a 1860s homesite.. There is modern trash there... Its solid brass... Anyone have any idea what it could be or what its off of?? Also here's the other stuff I found too..[

 

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[CRUSADER]

Its part of an barrel tap. (the T shaped handle is bust off the top)The holes allowed the beer or cider to flow out of the tap. Turn it 90 degrees turned it off.

 

[bradyboy]

agree

 

[DetectorMoe]

Its part of an barrel tap. (the T shaped handle is bust off the top)The holes allowed the beer or cider to flow out of the tap. Turn it 90 degrees turned it off.

So it's like the off and on switch for the barrel tap?

 

[CRUSADER]

So it's like the off and on switch for the barrel tap?

Yeap, part of the handle base, 50% unseen as the internal mechanism.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It does resemble a barrel-tap (or similar valve, such as a natural-gas-valve)... but it seems to lack a nozzle for the liquid (or gas) to flow out of. See the photos below. Can somebody post a photo showing an intact tap (or valve) like the object Tentis found?

 

[against the wind]

Yep,, broken barrel tap,,
CONGRATS

 

[CRUSADER]

It does resemble a barrel-tap (or similar valve, such as a natural-gas-valve)... but it seems to lack a nozzle for the liquid (or gas) to flow out of. See the photos below. Can somebody post a photo showing an intact tap (or valve) like the object Tentis found?

I'm amazed you asked the question & at the same time posted the answer.

 

[CRUSADER]

It does resemble a barrel-tap (or similar valve, such as a natural-gas-valve)... but it seems to lack a nozzle for the liquid (or gas) to flow out of. See the photos below. Can somebody post a photo showing an intact tap (or valve) like the object Tentis found?

For you;
Barrel-Tap Handle - UK Finds Database -
This is similar but hopefully everyone now gets the idea.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Thanks for the UKDFD link, Crusader. I get it now. I've never seen such a large handle (based on comparing with the digger's hand) for a barrel-tap. Being so large, I thought it was the tap's main body. The very smooth "break" where the T-handle's top broke off added to the illusion.

 

[sutphin]

NICE FINDS