Identifying an object

[Lucius Vorenus]

Hi all,

This is just a quick question, does anyone have an idea what this item might be?



It was found by my grandfather hidden away along with a 1796 British light cavalry sabre, a bayonet from a Brown Bess musket and an ankle fetter. An interesting mix of items I think you'll agree!! The items would suggest a late 18th/early 19th century origin.



The two parts form a hinge which unsurprisingly does not move any more. There are two small holes on the roundish flat bit.

This may be military in origin, it may be civilian, your guess is as good as mine. I don't even know which way is up!

Is it something to do with a musket, or perhaps something to do with the cavalry gear?

Invisible Officer, I am looking at you in particular!

Suggestions of websites where I might find out more would also be appreciated.

Cheers!!

[Rick]

I'm just wondering if it's something to do with a cannon - what's the thingy that the slow match was wound round and used to fire the cannon? Linstock! Could it be something like that?

Any chance of you putting a ruler or something by the side of it to give an idea of scale?

[grant]

I'm just wondering if it's something to do with a cannon - what's the thingy that the slow match was wound round and used to fire the cannon? Linstock! Could it be something like that?

Any chance of you putting a ruler or something by the side of it to give an idea of scale?

I agree, appears to be a working part of a gun of some sort. A ruler for scale would be handy!

[Lucius Vorenus]

Whoops, yes scale would be useful!

The length of the main part is 21cm/ 8.5 inches.

Would a British linstock have had a hinge?

[Rick]

Whoops, yes scale would be useful!

The length of the main part is 21cm/ 8.5 inches.

Would a British linstock have had a hinge?

Size seems to fit, as to it being hinged, there are so many different designs to choose from, both land and naval, that it is entirely possible, not an expert on such things unfortunately.

[Rick]

Did you ever get that item identified? I'm curious now.

[Invisible officer]

Missed that post somehow .

It's surely not from a linstock. The only similar item I can remember was a special pair of pliers to handle very hot items. The straight part was fixed to a pole and the curved one had a rope to close the tooll from a distance.

[Lucius Vorenus]

Missed that post somehow .

It's surely not from a linstock. The only similar item I can remember was a special pair of pliers to handle very hot items. The straight part was fixed to a pole and the curved one had a rope to close the tooll from a distance.

Thanks for that I.O.

You make an interesting point, I had no thought of it like that. It sounds like quite a peculiar item that you describe, why would they not just use a pliers?

I've asked on other websites, hopefully they should help too.

Perhaps the spike bit was hammered into the ground? Not sure why it would be hinged though.

[Invisible officer]

The tool I saw was used in a forge. It had a ring instead of the broad end at the curved part. The advantage was that it could be operated in a small tube.


The idea of fixing it in the ground and using the curved arms end with a foot to fix something in postition sounds probable,
It looks not very sturdy but carpenters used a similar device, the carpenter's bench , made from wood in the shape of a bank, to fix the wood they worked on.
21 cm sounds very small.

[Cubster]

I think it's the fossil of a snake trying to work out how to use a hammock.