Hi Kevin,

It is a thumbscrew, used to secure the coffin lid to the rest of the
coffin. Once home, I can check the coffin hardware catalogs I have to see
if I can find the source/date for that particular design.

Can you provide more information about your mass burial? There are a few
reasons I can think that a piece of coffin hardware might turn up there,
but without a little more info, I'm just guessing!

I am working on a book about mass-produced coffin hardware in North
America, and am intrigued. Please feel free to email me off-list.

Regards,
Megan Springate, MA, RPA



> While excavating a mass-burial trench at 19th century military cemetery,
> we encountered what appears to be a decorative finial.  The artifact is
> made from a lead alloy and appears to have had an iron screw at the base
> (most of the screw has deteriorated).  Our initial thoughts were that the
> artifact may be part of badge, medal, or other decorative object
> affiliated with a fraternal organization.  Has anyone else encountered a
> similar object?  A detail photo of the artifact can be found at the
> following link:
>
> http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab86/acrc-com/Cemetary%20Finial%20-09/Finial/CemeteryFinial.jpg
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Kevin O'Dell
> Principal Investigator & President
> ACR Consultants, Inc.
> 1423 O'Dell Court
> Sheridan, WY 82801
> T: 307-673-5966
> F: 307-673-4908
> [log in to unmask]
>