Hi Karen

Initial guess is a retractable [or even retractible] fountain pen.  The 
screwing action activates the ink refilling.  I suspect these mechanisms 
were patented as I also know of ones that used lever and push filling.

cheers

Denis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karen Murphy" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 3:17 PM
Subject: ARTEFACT IDENTIFICATION


> Hi all
>
>
>
> During excavations at a late-19th century timber mill settlement on Lake
> Cootharaba, in southeast Queensland, Australia, an interesting metal
> artefact was found.  It is a cylindrical item around 6cm long, with what
> appears to be a knob that twisted around the barrel of the item, possibly
> extending and retracting an interior piece.  An image of the item is
> available at http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=78055
> <http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=78055&pid=42037> &pid=42037
>
>
>
> We have come up with a few suggestions and ideas here, but would 
> appreciate
> any more concrete information and identification of such an item.  And
> whether people have come across something similar in their work? Or any
> other ideas?
>
>
>
> Your help is appreciated.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Karen
>
>
>
> ----
>
> Karen Murphy
>
> School of Social Science
>
> (Anthropology, Archaeology, Criminology, Sociology)
>
> University of Queensland
>
> Brisbane  QLD  4072
>
> Australia
>
>
>
> Ph: +61 7 3346 9551
>
> M: 0401 644 678
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> Visit the Mill 
> <http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=42037&pid=41684>
> Point Archaeological Project website
>
>
>
> Queensland State Representative
>
> Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>