Interesting projectile

katana · 30th September 2010, 07:17 PM

Hi Michael and 'Nando,
the patina does suggest that it is not as ancient as the seller suggests....Victorian ? or perhaps stored in 'ideal conditions'.

How about the pointer from a simple (but large) inclinometer ? or mounted on a ship's beam, to freely pivot (nail through the hole) to measure the pitch or roll of a ship ?? possibly, but extremely unlikely.

The 'tail' section had a diamond cross section, I think if this was to be fixed statically I would expect one or both sides to be flat. For the same reason I think a harpoon head is also unlikely, a flat profile would allow more accurate fitting to a shaft. (+ the fact, that large harpoons were nearly all marked with the ship, or owners initials, or the maker etc)

Some sort of decorative counter weight or pendulum ??

Regards David

broadaxe · 30th September 2010, 10:28 PM

I have two things on mind with this peculiar item:
1. A pointer of a wall mounted instrument, like cart scales.
2. Railing or concrete pillar top...

1700's catapult

? duhhh...

fearn · 30th September 2010, 11:41 PM

Perhaps the gnomon (pointer) on some sort of ornate sundial? One thing that bothers me about this theory is that hole in the fin. What is it there for? and it's quite short, which makes me twitchy too.

I didn't post that earlier, because I didn't want to clutter the whaling implement story.

The thing I don't like about the whale sticker interpretation is that toggle harpoons are old. If it's supposed to take the strain of raising a whale carcass, you'd expect either toggle barbs or something similar that would stick in the body.

Best,

F

P.S.: I know what it is! Stonehenge and other standing stone circles are just really old silicon-based astronomical computers. Maybe this is just the cursor for Stonehenge's graphic interface.

Atlantia · 1st October 2010, 12:25 AM

So now someone has to wait until the buyer leaves feedback then message him and ask if he knows what it is!

Berkley · 1st October 2010, 04:56 AM

I think broadaxe has it - a finial for a fence railing or gate. The flattened tail goes into a socket cast in the top of the railing and orients the blade/tip parallel to the axis; a through bolt perpendicular to the railing holds the finial in place. The use of separate individual finials cuts down the weight of the fence panel or gate for transportation and assembly.

katana · 1st October 2010, 10:55 PM

Hi Berkley,
I can see that is a possibillity, one I considered before posting but, several design features don't seem to add up.

If this object was to be mounted vertically (point up) having one fixing hole would not be very secure. The weight would try and rotate around the fixed point. More secure would be a minimum of two fixing points. The same scenario if mounted horizontally, less important if the object was to be mounted 'point down'.

One solution, to only have one fixing hole and making it secure, would be a shaped recess which prevented the 'rotational' forces, using the one hole to keep the 'object' in place.
The tail has a flatterned diamond shaped cross- section and an arc in the end section. To accommodate this securely it would be fitted into a slot with the same diamond cross-section, not an easy thing to manufacture, and unnecessary complication. As I mentioned before, I think, there is an unlikelihood of this ever having a shaft, as it would be better and much more advantageous to have the tail flat to fit a simple slot.

This is certainly becoming a "mystery item"

Link to auction...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUGE-RARE-MEDI...item5195221a99

Kind Regards David

Berkley · 1st October 2010, 11:03 PM

FWIW, this type of finial is known in the trade as a "spear".

30th September 2010, 07:17 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Michael and 'Nando, the patina does suggest that it is not as ancient as the seller suggests....Victorian ? or perhaps stored in 'ideal conditions'. How about the pointer from a simple (but large) inclinometer ? or mounted on a ship's beam, to freely pivot (nail through the hole) to measure the pitch or roll of a ship ?? possibly, but extremely unlikely. The 'tail' section had a diamond cross section, I think if this was to be fixed statically I would expect one or both sides to be flat. For the same reason I think a harpoon head is also unlikely, a flat profile would allow more accurate fitting to a shaft. (+ the fact, that large harpoons were nearly all marked with the ship, or owners initials, or the maker etc) Some sort of decorative counter weight or pendulum ?? Regards David

30th September 2010, 10:28 PM	#2
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	I have two things on mind with this peculiar item: 1. A pointer of a wall mounted instrument, like cart scales. 2. Railing or concrete pillar top... 1700's catapult ? duhhh...

30th September 2010, 11:41 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Perhaps the gnomon (pointer) on some sort of ornate sundial? One thing that bothers me about this theory is that hole in the fin. What is it there for? and it's quite short, which makes me twitchy too. I didn't post that earlier, because I didn't want to clutter the whaling implement story. The thing I don't like about the whale sticker interpretation is that toggle harpoons are old. If it's supposed to take the strain of raising a whale carcass, you'd expect either toggle barbs or something similar that would stick in the body. Best, F P.S.: I know what it is! Stonehenge and other standing stone circles are just really old silicon-based astronomical computers. Maybe this is just the cursor for Stonehenge's graphic interface.

1st October 2010, 12:25 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	So now someone has to wait until the buyer leaves feedback then message him and ask if he knows what it is!

1st October 2010, 04:56 AM	#5
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	I think broadaxe has it - a finial for a fence railing or gate. The flattened tail goes into a socket cast in the top of the railing and orients the blade/tip parallel to the axis; a through bolt perpendicular to the railing holds the finial in place. The use of separate individual finials cuts down the weight of the fence panel or gate for transportation and assembly.

1st October 2010, 10:55 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Berkley, I can see that is a possibillity, one I considered before posting but, several design features don't seem to add up. If this object was to be mounted vertically (point up) having one fixing hole would not be very secure. The weight would try and rotate around the fixed point. More secure would be a minimum of two fixing points. The same scenario if mounted horizontally, less important if the object was to be mounted 'point down'. One solution, to only have one fixing hole and making it secure, would be a shaped recess which prevented the 'rotational' forces, using the one hole to keep the 'object' in place. The tail has a flatterned diamond shaped cross- section and an arc in the end section. To accommodate this securely it would be fitted into a slot with the same diamond cross-section, not an easy thing to manufacture, and unnecessary complication. As I mentioned before, I think, there is an unlikelihood of this ever having a shaft, as it would be better and much more advantageous to have the tail flat to fit a simple slot. This is certainly becoming a "mystery item" Link to auction... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUGE-RARE-MEDI...item5195221a99 Kind Regards David

1st October 2010, 11:03 PM	#7
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	FWIW, this type of finial is known in the trade as a "spear".