what are these from ( SOLVED!)

[NGE]

These things (caps?) are found all over the place here in Michigan. Anytime you find one, keep hunting that park or field or island. Something was going on at least 100 or more years ago. They are made of aluminum, most are 1/2 inch diameter on the open end, if not smashed, they are 1/4 inch tall, the look like large caliber thin aluminum pellets, we also thought opium bottle caps, some of these are 3/4 inch in diameter, and have a rubber seal around the narrow waist part of them. We have searched available patent materials and pictures, typed in all kinds of "key words" and still can't figure out what they are. Many kudo's to whoever can find anything about these things......... notgittinenny

[trikikiwi]

They look like either electric fuse caps or drycell-style battery terminal bits .
Any chance of better pics?

Aluminum you say - so all non-magnetic?

Mike

[NGE]

These are mostly found where an old amusement or carnival grounds were once at, or within 20 miles of. I am the only person to have found one with a number on the inside of the cap, it is '95 ( 1895? ) but that is inside one of the larger ones. I will try to get some natural daylight pics...... Larry

[bakergeol]

Hi

I dug countless numbers of these- Yes at a n old carnival site during the early days(Yes carpeted with silver).

I always assumed some of these(aluminium) were the bottom of light bulbs.
http://www.actionpinball.com/partsgen.htm#lamps


George

[NGE]

I have dug these since 1965, so 100 years predates light bulbs? Not sure? But I think the '95 in one of the larger caps may be a clue? Maybe larger ones were design change? We have already thought of shooting gallery pellets, all we know for sure is that whatever they were for, was very popular at that time........Larry

[simonds]

I have found many of these too.
At a site where they had rides for old home days back in the 1950s
I think they are the end caps for buss fuses used for all the lights and rides.

[NGE]

Okay, here are some fresh natural daylight pics.......

[Bigcypresshunter]

much better pics... I notice they are all mushroomed, as if exploded.

[Monty]

They look a lot like the end caps that are hammered onto the end of a metal axle of a cheap toy to hold the wheels on. May be too small though? Monty

[NGE]

We also thought that, but there are no fingers or grippers inside. We looked at antique parasols also, but it's not those. Like I said earlier, I have a smashed one that has a black rubber band around the narrow part of the outside skirt.

[Steeler Fan]

they kind of remind me of pellets from a pellet gun

[NGE]

.50caliber, and they weigh only about 1 gram each, if that. Guess I will have to do more looking into US Patent site.

[silverswede]

Kinda like the angle Trikikiwi and Simonds were taking with the fuse cap ends. heres a pic of an buzz fuse type and the main centers were of paper that would have decayed over time and they did actually blow when tripped.

[NGE]

I will try to find the "smashed one" with the rubber seal on its outside, and get a decent pic of it. On the insides are no marks for where the fusible link would have been soldered on, ask some of the others that have posted here what they are like. Someone closer to your hometown than mine may also have a ton of them and may let ya have some.

[NGE]

Found it! I just did couple pics of smashed one with rubber seal on the outside. It is the black thing that has partially crumbled off, handling it too much I guess..... here goes, hope this helps more........ Larry

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont think they are fuse ends. They would not be mushroomed or have a rubber band. I will go out to my truck and look at some of my smaller (30 amp or less) electrical fuses.

[NGE]

Never thought of this before, but could it be possible that they had something to do with "Fireworks"? You know like the fizzies or buzzing things inside of the big mortar type shells? Or just fallout from old style roman candles? Just another thing to look up.

[Bigcypresshunter]

I looked at a 15 amp cartridge fuse. The size would be correct. Mine are copper though. I just dont understand why they are mushroomed as if exploded, like a musket cap. My guess would be a carnival shooting gallery cap pellet of some kind.

The fireworks theory seems good. They do appear to be mushroomed from little gunpowder explosions.

[smarn812]

They look like pry off soda or beer caps.

[Bigcypresshunter]

They look like pry off soda or beer caps.

Would have to be a miniature bottle.