Todays cornfield find, but what is it?

[Old Dude]

Today's cornfield find, but what is it?

Hi all. Got out today and hunted a corn field. Found this old splatted musket ball and the brass " handle " to something. Anyone have any ideas? The end is threaded so it isn't terribly old. Just didn't know why it has the rectangular slot through it. Thanks for any help.

 

[flyadive]

Spot for tapping into a maple tree for extracting syrup? You would hang a bucket on the hook.

 

[Loco-Digger]

I believe this could be part of a keg tap

 

[Loco-Digger]

Here is another picture that shows the holes in the tap piece such as your item has.

 

[Old Dude]

Spot for tapping into a maple tree for extracting syrup? You would hang a bucket on the hook.

I believe this could be part of a keg tapView attachment 1073412

Here is another picture that shows the holes in the tap piece such as your item has.

View attachment 1073415

Thanks Fd....they do make syrup around here but I haven't seen the taps.

Thanks LD....that sure does look like my item. There is a very small diameter hole going into the rectangular " slot " from the threaded end that looks to be around 1/32". Not sure that would be big enough for liquid? Might it be part of some type gas valve since the hole is so small?
It sure does look like it though!