Old Milwaukee Beer tap handle (not authenticated)

This object is a vintage beer tap handle featuring branding for Old Milwaukee Beer, presented as a clear acrylic or lucite body with embedded graphic elements. The overall shape is a spade or shield-like upper display section that tapers down into a rectangular handle shaft, ending in a bright solid red base cap. The physical dimensions appear standard for a mid-to-late 20th-century commercial draft beer tap, designed to be screwed onto a standard kegerator or bar faucet. The primary material is molded clear plastic, showing slight surface scratching and scuffing consistent with age, handling, and use in a commercial or domestic bar setting. The front display features a paper or foil label encased within the acrylic, bordered in maroon and white. The legible text on the label reads 'Old Milwaukee' in a stylized cursive font, with the word 'BEER' underneath in block capitals. Below the text is an illustrated crest emblem featuring a crown and shield design with 'OM' lettering. The identification of this piece rests entirely upon the clearly visible brand text and trademark logo encased within the transparent body. There is a piece of string currently tied around the narrow neck of the handle, though its original purpose is unclear. No secondary maker's marks or stamps are visible on the exterior plastic, and the item remains unauthenticated. The style and materials are consistent with breweriana collectibles produced during the 1970s or 1980s, reflecting a period of widespread acrylic tap handle manufacturing for mass-market American lagers.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this piece appears to be a vintage clear acrylic tap handle featuring Old Milwaukee Beer branding, consistent with breweriana collectibles typically produced during the 1970s or 1980s. The spade-shaped upper display encases a paper or foil label with the stylized brand text and crest, tapering down to a red base cap. However, I cannot verify from a photo whether the internal components or materials are period-accurate, and would need physical inspection to confirm its construction and overall integrity. The surface exhibits light scratching and scuffing consistent with age and typical bar use. The estimated value range reflects the assumption that the branding is correct for a mass-produced item of this type; similar vintage beer tap handles generally trade within this bracket based on typical market demand among breweriana collectors. Because this item remains unauthenticated and no secondary maker's marks are visible, its value is entirely dependent on verification. An in-person examination by a qualified expert, alongside provenance documentation, would be necessary to establish its status. If this piece were determined to be a modern reproduction, replica, or copy rather than a period-appropriate promotional item, the market value would likely decrease significantly, dropping to the $10-$15 range or lower.