this was made for something !! But what ??

[digger dad]

I found this along the Potomac river at an old train depot . There was some civil war activity in the area but have not found anything yet that dates back that far . The oldest thing I found close to this thing was an Everready replacement blade razor that dates between 1912 to 1924 and three wheat cents a 1927 a 28 and the third I couldn't get a date . This thing appears to be copper or maybe brass the letters on it I can't make out . Any help would be great !!

 

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[Bruce R]

It looks like one of those things they called a permanent match or something like that, your piece would've had a wick in the end and it fit into a little metal case full of batting that was soaked with lighter fluid . A small strip of steel was alongside the wick and you struck it up the side of the case to light it.

 

[Anduril]

My first thought is the operator end of a car turn signal indicator lever.
But that's probably not correct. ?

Looking closely, the large diameter end has a reeded edge (like ridges on the sides of a quarter).
That suggests that this widget was designed to be turned, and/or possibly pulled.
The barrel also looks like it has some screw threads on it, but they're shallow and only travel about a quarter-inch.

So, maybe this thing is an adjustment knob or a set screw? But for what?

 

[digger dad]

BruceR it does kind of resemble the permanent match but the spout end looks long and made thinner I was thinking a medicine dropper or spot oiler but there isn't any way to get the fluid into it . Anduril the threads that you see on the side are more of a decoration than threads .. this one may stay in the mystery box for awhile . Thank you guys for the info .

 

[creskol]

Looks like an old mechanical pencil.. or parts thereof.

 

[diggummup]

Looks like an old mechanical pencil.. or parts thereof.

That was my first thought. I've owned a few that resembled it. They come in many shapes and sizes-

 

[Anduril]

Digger,
Before you go, can you post a pencil etching of the "text" or whatever those symbols are on the end?
That might help to ID the part.

 

[digger dad]

I will see what I can make out when I get home , the pic is actually exactly what I can see with my bare eye the letters are really distorted .

 

[Bruce R]

Possibly the handle of a tiny screwdriver? I have one around here somewhere that's like a set, each one fits into the handle of the next bigger one.

 

[cudamark]

That's the first impression I got.......jeweler's screwdriver handle

 

[G.I.B.]

For me, first view, first thought.

Car door lock.

They used to stick up by the window and you had to pull them up or push them down to unlock/lock the car door from the inside.

 

[digger dad]

Digger,
Before you go, can you post a pencil etching of the "text" or whatever those symbols are on the end?
That might help to ID the part.

I can't make heads or tails out of and letters or symbols they are to worn down sorry ..

 

[Metro Retro]

It reminds me of a latch release/cable pull -- like the ones used to open the hood or trunk of a car.

 

[relic lover]

Syphilis Mercury syringe

 

[digger dad]

Syphilis Mercury syringe

I sure hope not ... Lol

 

[bradyboy]

need the letters on the end
maybe dampen the letters, a little spit, to highlight
or, use paper over the letters and press into the letters, then take a pencil and lightly rub over letters
brady

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I'm going to say mechanical pencil as well, a google image search turns up a whole lot that are very similar

 

[DCMatt]

Looks like an old mechanical pencil.. or parts thereof.

Agree.

 

[digger dad]

It does look like the pencils but it has no moving parts . i suppose it could have fit into another metal cylinder that would explain the grooves on the mid section that could have been what retracted the lead . I'm still working on the markings on the top .

 

[DCMatt]

The one I pictured is actually a pencil holder - non mechanical. You can see a small wooden pencil is inserted in the end.