Handle? To what and how old? From a once cemetary at 11 1/2"

[moose]

I'm not a relic hunter, but if the finds are as cool as this, that may change. I'm not sure of its main function or it's age but I did find it in an old park that was once a cemetary. The V hit it hard with a vdi of 21-23. This sparked my curiosity as the V gave it a depth of 10" and this was not a vdi I see often at that depth anyway. I believe it is made of brass and I believe it to be from a mold as the back of the rose is hollow. There is no manufacturer stamp and the three fasteners are of an 8p nail with a flush heads.

Anyone out there see one similar or know something about it or what to look for to ID this piece? Thank you for your time..

The 1897 IH was a bonus and the V picked it from eight pieces of iron "pin pointed" in a 15 sq." area. Thank you to Rob, Larry and others with advice on disappearing hits.

Moose.

 

[LabradorBob]

Could it be off an old coffin?

LabradorBob

 

[moose]

I wondered the same thing but the loop support at the top of the rose seems to light to handle any type of weight, unless I'm viewing it upside down. If this were the case I guess it could support a heavier load. Not sure but thanks for the response.

 

[Larry (IL)]

It sure is a nice find moose, it looks too small for a functional handle for a coffin though, ...... Decorative or possibly a child's coffin?

 

[ZOFCHAK]

Perhaps it's a handle to the upper portion of a coffin . It could have been used to open and close the lid, as opposed to carrying the entire weight.

 

[yazoo]

Might be a door knocker.Yazoo

 

[moose]

Thanks all for looking and giving possibilities, my wife and I are going to check the local library and funeral homes for fun. We even thought it might be a door knocker as well but on the rear of the handle it is smooth with no ball or build up for hitting a plate or door itself.

Thanks again all, HH