How about a guess on this

[dewcon4414]

I found this at a civil war era home that was removed before 1900. There has been nothing modern found at the site... not even parts of cans. The home was about 1/4 mile from the old urbin rail road but in the middle of a 80 acre field. Its brass, 2 1/4 long, its rivited on the top and bottom so the top dont move, but it has long pointy things between the larger ones that did as does the smaller gauge like objects much like a pocket knife. You have to think civil war era so im at a loss as to the type of gauge this might have been or used for.

Dew

 

[dewcon4414]

Sorry ... forgot these photos.

 

[bunker314]

That is an interesting piece. Sorry I can't help, but will keep looking to see what everyone comes up with.
Good Luck and HH

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

n/t

 

[bunker314]

I know you put how long it was, but could you post a pix with a coin next to it for reference? Please.

 

[dabbie1]

Looks like a civil war artillery sight for a field piece.

 

[fenian13]

I can only add that it looks like it may unfold like a pocketknife does. maybe froze up with corrosion. very interesting and will have to keep watch and see if someone can nail it.

 

[edjcox]

Horse farrier tool?

 

[srf2112]

I get the impression that it's a control handle of some sort, possibly from a steam engine control panel ? or some other piece of industrial equipment. It looks to me like it would pivot at the dark spot on the "hooked" end when flipped back and forth. The "hook" would engage another piece of equipment which would, in turn, be flipped back and forth when the "handle" is. The tynes ("pointy things") would extend further out and act as some sort of tension/assist spring to either hold the handle in position and/or assist when "flipping" the handle. Sorry, it's a little hard to explain what I "think" it would do. Hope it's clear enough to understand and of course it's JMHO.
HH
Scott

 

[fenian13]

Looks as though depressing the blade under the handle might release the mechanism. could it then be a horse hoof-pick? the hook for cleaning out the bottom of the foot and the two prongs maybe spaced the same distance as horse-shoe nail holes. maybe a ferriers tool for re-using a shoe, the prongs are used to push out nail stubs? and the hook for cleaning?