unknown object its not a newspaper

[foundation hunter]

Does anyone know what this is,i found it next to a 1700s cellar hole.It says
Waterbury Republican and American Best New Paper.

 

[Nick A]

Hmm. My guess is the screw on base (for battery compartment) to an old advertising flashlight, but I bet it's something more interesting.

 

[baspinall]

The little clip looks like a fuse holder?

 

[wolcottdigger]

I don't know what it is but the Waterbury Republican-American is still the local newspaper here in Waterbury Connecticut.
Where did you find it are you in Connecticut, Michael Dooling is the librarian at the Republican-American ( mdooling@rep-am.com ).
He helped me identify something I found last year maybe he can help identify your find.
Joe

Republican-American website http://rep-am.com

 

[zztop357]

Looks like a butt-end to a flash light...
HH, zztop

 

[sqwaby]

I'm with the flashlight vote, I sell coast guard and solas certified flashlights and they all have a small clip or similiar thing in the base to hold the spare bulb. Check the diameter of the cap.

 

[allen]

really neat find !!
good luck on id'ing it !
make sure you post it
in the what is it forum !

 

[Tnmountains]

Makes sense.You go out with the promotinal flashlight and look for the paper the paper boy threw in the tree,,lol