Based on your description — heavy, pointed brass weight with a string attached — it’s almost certainly a plumb bob.
A plumb bob is a simple but very precise tool used in construction and carpentry to establish a perfectly vertical line (called “plumb”).
What it’s used for:
- Making sure walls or posts are straight up and down
- Aligning door frames
- Transferring points from ceiling to floor
- Masonry and framing work
Why it looks like that:
- Pointed tip → allows accurate marking directly below the string
- Heavy brass body → gives stability and reduces sway
- String attached at the top → gravity pulls it straight down
It’s one of the oldest construction tools in history — versions were used in ancient Egypt.
If your dad did any carpentry, masonry, framing, surveying, or even serious DIY work, that would explain it.
If you’d like, you can describe any markings or its size and I can tell you more about its age or specific type.
