Hi guys, forgive the intrusion. I found an item whilsh metal detecing last week, but to date have not been able to identify it, nobody on the metal detecing forum that i frequent has any idea as to what it is, so i thought that i would try you.

I thought that it was maybe a bell, but i asked on an horology forum and they ruled that out.

It's been mounted as can be seen from the rust in the middle.

It meaures 50mm long x 45mm wide x 40mm high.

It was found in a field that produced a bronze age axe c1000 BC plus another item that i've been unable to identify, all seem to be bronze.

Next step might be the British Museum.

Yours comments would be most appreciated.....Rick

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Looks like the brass buttcap off a flintlock pistol, to me.

Julian

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Wowee Julian thanks mate, that looks spot on. What date approx would it be.

The area has loads of history, i have found plenty of small lead musket balls off these fields.

Rick

Anytime from the early/mid 18thC through to the era of percussion pistols in the mid 19thC.

Julian

Thank again Julian, i'm so grateful. I hate not knowing the origin of finds that i make.

Do you think this pic of another find might be armourial?...same field.........Rick

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Hi, Rick!

Is there any sign of threads for bolts in the holes?
If the answer is YES, this might be (or at least looks like for me) the plate from the back side of the pistol or musket / rifle (sorry, but I don't know the term in English), which secures via bolts the whole flint-lock / percussion mechanism. These plates often were made from bronze / brass.
Only the lenght of the find is somewhat disturbing - it's a little bit longer.

Regards
Boris

Hiya Boris, thanks for the reply mate. There are no signs of screw threads, also if you look at the bottom pic, there is a curve to the object, like if it was attached to a spade handle for instance....Rick.

From this angle it looks like a flattened trigger guard (?)

Hiya Sean, the item is not damaged apart from the end which has been nibbled away with what i suspect is bronze disease....Rick

Ah, yes...I can see it better now that I'm not looking at a phone screen. I don't think it's deep enough for a drawer pull. Odd shape (and plain) for a gun side plate. You have a very interesting field there, and the spent ammunition and pistol furniture might point this piece in a military direction. I certainly don't recognize it, though, and I've just sold my book on Irish firearms. :(

Hi again Sean, thanks for the reply. I showed it to Dr.Greer Ramsey (via email) at the Belfast Museum, this guy did his doctorate in Irish bronze age metalwork, but he couldn't shed any light on it. I guess i'll contact the British Museum, and see if they come up with any answers.

If i find out what it is, i'll drop an email on your site.

Thanks once again for all your replies, it's much appreciated....Rick