Thank you for the fine pictures David.
You may anyway 'rest' assure that i know what musket 'rests' should (more or less) look like, and how old they (more or less) should be; it's the guy that gave me this thing that does not.
As for what this object should really be, i go more for Colin's sugestion that this is a foot for some kind of stand, strongly the fire place device.
My appreciation for your permanent and kind colaboration on deciphering riddles
.
Fernando