Strange iron relic- possible shell?

[Patriot Relics]

Hey guys,

I recently dug a heavy cylindrical iron item that was heavily corroded. After a day in the electrolysis bath and some heavy work with a brush, I realized that it had a seated lip around the top and a small hole in the bottom. The bottom hole appears to be filled with a white substance. For its size, the object is incredible heavy. It is approximately 3.5 inches in diameter and slightly over an inch wide. My initial guess is potentially part of a shell- anyone have any ideas?

 

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[CoilyGirl]

Maybe someone will come along soon to help you ID it. You live in a wonderful area for all kinds of relics though.

 

[GatorBoy]

Adding as much info as possible about the area it was found will definitely help

 

[Patriot Relics]

Hey Gator,

I found it on the edge of an old plantation site in Charleston, SC near the Wando River. While there is no history of battles here, the British did transit the location during the revolutionary war. If not a shell, I was thinking it was a possible weight as the center is very dense. I've found a single civil war general service button in the area, but nothing else that points to the civil war. Let me know what you think-

 

[GatorBoy]

Its got my interest I will do a little research with you.
I'm thinking a bit more utilitarian.
It's an odd coincidence that I found something almost exactly like it at the site of a late 1800's railroad depot just recently

 

[GatorBoy]

I thinking along the lines of an old well pump piston or something like that

 

[duggap]

Take it over to the ID section, see what those folks think.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Thanks for the help gents,

No luck in the ID section, however I think gator is on the right track. Given the machined hole in the base and the proximity to a plantation, it does seem to resemble an old well pump piston.

 

[GatorBoy]

Don't feel too bad that's as far as I got with mine as well.
I couldn't find an exact match but that seems close at least

 

[Patriot Relics]

Hey Gator,

Couldn't resist another round in the electrolysis bath to remove the last bit of surface rust before I waxed the piece. Found a large 2 on the center! Now I'm thinking it part of an old weight system (2 lbs checks with the relative weight).

 

[GatorBoy]

Well.. here is an antique scale weight being offered for sale for 14$