Any Idea What This Is...

[Erik in NJ]

Sorry I can't post a pic at the moment. It was found in Florida's south west coast near what was an old plantation from the 1800's. I'll do my best to describe:

Seems to be made of copper. Looks like tube within a tube - the outer tube is about 3/8". On the outer tube are two slots that run along the same axis as the tube. At the end is a cap that apparently was slid on and held at the time wih friction. On the face of the cap is written (what appears to be):

PATD
JANY 23
1856

The item is essentially broken off at approx 1". Thanks for any info and I'll post a pic when I have a chance.

Regards, Erik

 

[BlackX]

n/t

 

[John - Maryland]

May have something to do with the Slave Trade. Could be part of an old Slave Lock.

 

[Erik in NJ]

and I will post a scan of it by tomorrow - the typeface of the engraved letters appears to be quite old fashioned so I'm hoping that we can indentify it - heck if it's something good I may have to go back down to Florida ;-) .... was the only real old thing I managed to find there, but I had a lot of fun. I think the site by the plantation probably has some more interesting stuff there, but my time was limited. Maybe some else here can check it out.....I can PM the location.