Below are two items found within a couple feet of each other. I assume the same soldier lost both relics as they go together. They were lost in 1812 or 1813 I can remember off hand the date. I could do a little reading and determine the actual time to the day of the particular year, but I am lazy.
I have seen museum displays the have these pieces. I recall the French Military Museum in Paris had the exact same things hanging from the front uniform of a Napoleonic era soldier.
I think the threaded item was for extracting lead balls jammed in a musket. It was sent down the barrel opening on some sort of sticlk or something, I believe, screwed into the ball and hopefully extractd the offending ball.
The wire like piece with the little chain was for opening a hole leading to the powder.
I'm not entirely sure of my explanations for these musket pieces so hopefully a reader may add appropriate information.
It's amazing that after over 190 years, most of which were in the ground, that the relics are in such a good condition. It all depends on the soil I am told. These items came from the side of a hill.
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