1830 Marked Cast Iron Plate

[copperpile]

Found this near an old railroad in Northern Michigan. I'm pretty sure it's cast iron. Is the 1830 mark a date? Not sure. There was some copper mining in the area that began in the mid 1840s. There is a mine shaft not far as the crow flies that was sunk in the 1860s. I'm quite curious about the piece and hope to get some good info from y'all.

 

[copperpile]

 

[copperpile]

 

[HutSiteDigger]

You sure that is not a 8 instead of a 3? Lot of things got like Pat. (year) and stuff on it. Have no clue on it but hard too make it out.

 

[woodstock]

Looks like a Railroad tie-in piece from some sort of Railroad equipment . And this ins't the whole piece either . There should be some kind of Axle that went through the rounded part . This might be a piece used when or for switching tracks and it appears to be 1880 from what I see and not 1830 ... IMHO . Woodtock

 

[copperpile]

When I first found it I thought it was 1880. When i got home and knocked some dirt off and cleaned it a bit I found it to be 1830. I'll try to get a better pic to show of the mark.

 

[copperpile]

 

[HutSiteDigger]

She is really worn out on that number... It is possible for 3,8 or even 0... Anyhow I think it does resemble a date perhaps.. Hope someone can ID it for u.

 

[creskol]

There is a cover plate on old engines, similar to a cover plate for bearings, but I am having a senior moment and can't remember the exact term for it, which makes it hard to research. Perhaps it will come to me tonight in a dream, or perhaps somebody will post it before then. Darn I hate my feeble brain sometimes!

Journal box is the term I was looking for .. Not sure that's what it is, but I will check in the morning! Until then .. Good luck on an ID

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I agree with the railroad part but I think it is part of the coupling when they hook up to other cars I have been around trains when loading my truck and it looks similar to parts I have seen in that area of the train.Not a positive I.D. just my observation.

 

[copperpile]

Thanks much for the input. I guess I kept it because of the "date". Kinda looks nostalgic with the "date". If nothing else it will look neat sitting on the shelf in the garage.