Lead artifact, what is it?

[VintageHeart]

Hello, found this artifact today metal detecting, in the center of two adjoining cellar holes. In the photo there is a cellar also to the right. First time I see two adjoining cellars. "Old Jim" was a blacksmith by trade and was born in the year 1800, this was his homestead. He most likely made this, but I am stumped as to what it was used for! It's heavy, and has holes in it, so I was thinking maybe a weight for something? For a ship? The ocean is near to the site. If anyone has any idea, leave a comment, and thank you!

 

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[firemanphob]

reminds me of a tent rope tensioner but is awfully big and heavy for that.

 

[VintageHeart]

I think you may be close!! Maybe it could be some sort of tensioner pulley, not for a tent I would think. It's so big and heavy, and old. Thank you so much.

 

[gunsil]

Looks kind of like a sounding lead.

 

[VintageHeart]

A sounding lead, I was thinking the artifact was possibly for a ship. It does look like one! It could very well be! Thank you so much.

 

[Steve in PA]

I was thinking some type of counterweight...until I saw sounding lead

 

[releventchair]

Weights away from watercraft....Hmmm.
Some ideas maybe?

Windmills used weights.

Windows too had weights inside home walls on cordage/rope .(Sash weights.)

A fence gate can have a weight to assist closing. Not sure if "bump" gates use them but would not be surprised. Being double holed the lower side could have been tethered to reduce overtravel of swung open gate...

One end of pic looks like it thumped the ground /floor regular.

Lead had lots of uses around a homestead....

 

[VintageHeart]

I never would have thought that lead weights would have been used so often, but it does certainly make sense! You are all so helpful, and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Thank you so very much.

 

[Trezurehunter]

It could be a hand crafted window weight. Most were made of iron, but back then you used what you had. Just a guess, as I have found many window weights at old homestead sites.

 

[Doug from NS]

Hi from NS, I think sounding weight is a good possibility.

 

[RobNC]

Have to throw a joke in here. Have to real idea what it is, but sure looks like it would hurt someone if used as a weapon to the forehead.