Tim, good pics; thanks; I didn't see them before? I do think that if one examined the ones you picture one would find them much lighter than this piece.
I wouldn't say this piece is in decorative condition; quite the opposite, actually; it seems to have lost much of its appearance, but to be still quite solid (for cast iron, if that's what it is), and likely close to as useful as it ever was.
There's nothing short about the socket, unless it's not hollow its full length.
I do think it's a casting, mainly because of the seemingly excessive and impractical weight of various features, and if so, then it was, of course, made as a decorative/ceremonial/etc. piece. Dang English tourist spears
That's a joke.....................................