Brass Balls???

[Zodiacdiverdave]

I know it gets cold up here in the North East but I didn't think we had any brass monkeys here. I have found 4 of these brass balls to date, all are different sizes and all from old sites. I don't have a clue what they would have been used for except for brearings but they are quite big for bearings.
Any ideas out there


ZDD

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Some very-smooth brass balls like the ones in your photo -- and about the same size sizes -- were used to "power" antique clocks. They were discussed (and shown in photos) here in the What-Is-it forum previously. Unfortunately I cannot find the photos I saved during that discussion. Perhaps somebody else here will be able to find that discussion in What-Is-It and post a link to it.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Some very-smooth brass balls like the ones in your photo -- and about the same size sizes -- were used to "power" antique clocks. They were discussed (and shown in photos) here in the What-Is-it forum previously. Unfortunately I cannot find the photos I saved during that discussion. Perhaps somebody else here will be able to find that discussion in What-Is-It and post a link to it.

Thanks Cannonball, I would have never guessed. I will see if I can track down some info on those.
Dave

Follow up; here is a link to the Rolling Ball clock system. These balls could very well be from those or from a rotary pendulum drive clock.
http://www.nms.ac.uk/highlights/objects_in_focus/rolling_ball_clock.aspx
http://www.klockit.com/products/dept-13__sku-IIIIC.html

Would love to hear any other theories.
ZDD

 

[olroy70]

If it was farther west, I would say windmill check valves

 

[l.cutler]

They could also be from a gunpowder mill. Brass balls were used to grind blackpowder, brass so there would be no spark. They are found in varrious sizes because as they wore down they got smaller. They are often found at a powder mill site near me.

 

[Breezie]

CBG, I didn't see/read that post, but are you referring to a torsion/ Anniversary clocks? Breezie

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I like the ball check-valve idea.