mystery brass

[norflo2norcal]

I found a couple interesting objects in the river mud last night. I know the piece on the right is part of a broken clay pipe, but I have no clue about the brass piece. Seems like a cap that would have been on a bottle or jar. The top piece slides up and down to open or close the hole. Anyone recognize it?

 

[epackage]

Cigar cutter?

 

[norflo2norcal]

Here is the object with the hole closed. The hole is not much bigger than a pencil eraser.

 

[Plumbata]

Well, my guess is that it is the brass top of an iron or fiber Tooth Powder container. Invert the container to fill the cap, bring it horizontal, and withdraw the dispenser cap and twist to dump on the toothbrush.

That pipe looks ancient. Do I see specks of pulverized seashell in the clay? Looks Indian to me, nice find.

 

[epackage]

I was gonna ask to see the bottom but didn't, that makes sense if there's a hole...