Brass Casting

[shlammert]

This heavy brass casting (photos attached) served as a paperweight on my father's Western PA desk for many years. No idea what the initials stand for, nor for what function it was originally intended. My father sold non-ferrous metals (including brass & bronze) in the greater Pittsburgh area for over 40 years; his father was a purchasing agent with Oliver Iron & Steel for over 50 years. Both are long-deceased.

The item was probably manufactured before 1960, and possibly well before that date.

Speculation on this item has included: a material sample; a prop for a cigar or pipe; or, simply, a paperweight. But no one has offered suggestions on a related individual or company with initials "D R".

Railroad fans have suggested that "D R" could be Doncaster Railway, or Deutsche Reichsbahn, and of course brass was a popular material in the business. But again, no one has been able to suggest a railroad function for this object.

The base is flat and unadorned; there are no manufacturer's marks, no threaded hole (as if this were a handle), etc.

 

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[DCMatt]

Fountain pen rest?

 

[DCMatt]

 

[sutphin]

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[BagLady]

Welcome to Tnet. I agree with DCMatt. I think yours was personalized.

 

[shlammert]

A fountain pen rest is an interesting thought. The shape is about right, as is the era.

I was hoping that the initials would refer to a manufacturer, though, as "D R" as personalized initials doesn't match anyone in my family, nor any names that I can ever recall hearing my father or grandfather use.

 

[DCMatt]

I suspect it is an advertising give away from a firm or salesman he did business with.


If you want to look at company names, check Google books for industrial periodicals. Often there will be company names listed in the index.


Good luck.


DCMatt