✅ SOLVED Whale

[Spats]

This little "whale" was found at the site of an antebellum plantation. It is now under cultivation. The whale's tail is almost definitely a thumb piece used to rotate the item. One of the two holes seems to be for a post that it rotates on. I keep thinking part to the top of a powder flask, but have never seen one like this. Any ideas?

Secondly, how can I keep my pictures from rotating when I post? Even when I try to beat the system and take a picture that is rotated the opposite way, I fail because those never seem to rotate. Help!

 

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[cudamark]

Sure looks like a thumb trigger of some sort. Maybe bicycle bell? Window latch?

 

[BosnMate]

Shot pouch

 

[DownNDirty]

Definitely a powder flask valve piece. As you guessed the "tail" protruded outside of the valve and would have been pushed by the user's thumb to open & close the valve, which was spring-loaded. The large hole is where the powder flowed when the valve was opened & a pin fit through the small hole.

 

[Tpmetal]

yup powder flask part

 

[bradyboy]

Jeeze, looks like jewelry pendent

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Powder flask gate for sure.



Looks like an Ames style.

 

[Spats]

Thanks everyone for your help. Based on Charlie P.'s input, I did an image search for Ames powder flasks. I found this one listed on eBay as a circa 1830-1840 peace gun powder flask. This one, I think, is solved.