Anyone know what this is?

[bWize]

Decided to take the metal detector out for a whirl at the weekend and found this on the beach.



It was encrusted into a rock about a foot down. Took it home and left to soak in vinegar overnight and has shined right up. Have finally managed to get most of the remaining barnacles/crust off. Just wondering if anyone knows what this is? I was a bit dubious it may be a shell at first before cleaning it up, but both ends are blunt and no way it could detonate.

It's 8 cm long and very heavy. Feels too heavy to be brass (more like the weight of lead) and has no corrosion. Had a suggestion it could be an 18th century needle holder/sewing kit, but not totally convinced. I can faintly hear something rattle inside. Looks like it could unscrew in the middle but is far too stiff to open without a lot of force and didn't want to end up ruining the damn thing.

Here's a close up:

 

[spence]

MY first impression it looked like one of those toggles on duffle coats. Obviously not though due to the weight you described

 

[bWize]

MY first impression it looked like one of those toggles on duffle coats. Obviously not though due to the weight you described

Yeah, definitely too heavy for that! I would say it weighs at least the same as a 3 oz fishing weight. I have even tried asking on a metal detecting forum and nobody seems to know wtf it is... Might have to get the pliers out tomorrow and gently see what's inside!

 

[spence]

That second picture certainly looks like it unscrews in the middle

 

[bhafc99]

Curious. The weight implies it might have been a plummet, used to take depth soundings, but then it doesn't have any hole to fix it to a chain or line, so perhaps not.

And if it does unscrew in the middle, then that's definitely wrong.

Let us know what you find out!

 

[fat old seagull]

If you don't post again, shall we assume you tried to open it with dire consequences?

 

[The Sock of Poskett]

Definitely looks like it unscrews and has something inside. You could tweet a photo of it to some of the TV antiques experts. I think Charles Hanson (@HansonsAntiques) is a bit of a detectorist.

 

[Binney on acid]

Could it be one of Adam El Abd's fillings ?

 

[Seagull58]

18th century vibrator.You need to put 3 ball bearings inside and shake a lot when using it.

 

[knocky1]

Could it be gold? Maybe worth finding out before scratching or denting in an effort to open. Would expect something good inside if it were to be gold.

 

[Albion my Albion]

A sex toy?

Cigar holder?

 

[looney]

Alien artefact?

Has your skin started turning green with scales?

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

Is it brass? Possibly ship related. Maybe some type of spool?


Edit:
Reread post, you said it's not brass...

 

[knocky1]

Mrs K has just had a look [MENTION=9385]Arundel_Seagull[/MENTION]. Says her Dad had one. Says it is a screwdriver. You unscrew and inside are different screw bits that fit into one of the halves to make said screwdriver. She has lost hers! So we can't check.

 

[Gary Hart's Stalker]

Mrs K has just had a look [MENTION=9385]Arundel_Seagull[/MENTION]. Says her Dad had one. Says it is a screwdriver. You unscrew and inside are different screw bits that fit into one of the halves to make said screwdriver. She has lost hers! So we can't check.

Did she lose it at the beach? I feel a happy reunion coming on!!

 

[skipper734]

There's only one metal that doesn't tarnish especially after being in-bedded in a rock and encrusted with barnacles. Also the feeling heavy for it's size.

 

[Surrey_Albion]

Mrs K has just had a look [MENTION=9385]Arundel_Seagull[/MENTION]. Says her Dad had one. Says it is a screwdriver. You unscrew and inside are different screw bits that fit into one of the halves to make said screwdriver. She has lost hers! So we can't check.

This. My Dad has one its like a Swiss army screwdriver

 

[knocky1]

Did she lose it at the beach? I feel a happy reunion coming on!!

Ha Ha. No but I bet Arundel seagull knows all the finders keepers rules anyway.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Looks like it's probably THIS (antique screwdriver)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/235027837/antique-screwdriver-cork-screw-and-drill?ref=market

 

[AZ Gull]

[MENTION=9385]Arundel_Seagull[/MENTION] - is your name Emily? Do you have a large, saggy, pink-and-white striped stuffed toy you can leave it in front of?