POST MEDIEVAL TOY

1500

Fragment of what is probably a toy gun. The artefact consists of a length of pewter, 35.70mm long, square in section (11.6mm by 12mm), but each end becoming round in section; one end has bevels from the square to circular sections and the other end just changes from on to the other. Through a slot though the piece there is a cast copper alloy fitting, riveted in place with two iron rivets: the lower part of this fitting resembles a miniature trigger, and the upper, larger part, resembles a foot and leg grasped by a hand- or alternatively it may be a matchlock in miniature. Both of the pieces have a dull greyish brown colour with light grey blotches, but both have been scratched recently to reveal the clean metal beneath. This artefact dates to the Post-Medieval period.