✅ SOLVED Bone Washer?

[villagenut]

Found this in my sifter today along with all the other usual stuff. I tossed it in my finds bucket thinkin it was an old iron washer but upon cleaning up , I discovered it looks like bone. What is up with that? Maybe it isn't bone but it sure looks like it and a hot needle test does not affect it . Any thoughts?, thanks v.n.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think it may be a fiber washer. Is it flexible? If not it could be a nylon one.

 

[villagenut]

It is not flexible but then again, I think if i force it to flex it may snap. How would nylon or fiber react to a hot needle?

 

[villagenut]

Ok I just tried to flex it .....and it broke in half. Still looks like bone but a broken one now....I think I will have another beer

 

[nhbenz]

Maybe a ceramic washer?

 

[villagenut]

Maybe so, after looking close at the break under magnification. I am not sure what a ceramic washer would be good for as easy as it breaks in two

 

[DCMatt]

Possibly for an 18th century bone button. It would have been covered with thread or cloth.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Looks like an asbestos washer. They were used in stove fittings or small clutches - like drags on fish reels.

 

[cw0909]

Looks like an asbestos washer. They were used in stove fittings or small clutches - like drags on fish reels.

ya asbestos, i was thinking Bakelite

 

[villagenut]

Thanks all, I reckon I will call it solved.