Can anyone help identify this

[darryl]

It's 4" tall and 7" across top- picked it up at a flea market-may be copper or brass ?

 

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[Vagabondy3]

I was thinking a port hole but the bottom is solid...hmmm You could try using the google image search. It searches the web using a picture. Here's the link. Search by Image ? Inside Search ? Google

 

[Vagabondy3]

I was thinking a port hole but the bottom is solid...hmmm You could try using the google image search. It searches the web using a picture. Here's the link. Search by Image ? Inside Search ? Google

Here's a better link. Click the camera icon at the end of the search bar to upload the photo. Google Images

 

[darryl]

Thanks for the help- I Also was thinking porthole when I first spotted it- it's built sturdy-has a very well made hinge- thanks again

 

[Archeodeb]

Could it have been a porthole that someone made into a container by welding a metal bottom on it? Any signs of weld marks?

 

[darryl]

Could it have been a porthole that someone made into a container by welding a metal bottom on it? Any signs of weld marks?

No weld marks-I'll post a pic of the bottom



Notice the screen like section

 

[Archeodeb]

That is odd -- the top looks like it is meant to seal something in an airtight environment, and then you get a screen that lets air in on the side. If the lid was not made of glass, I would wonder if it might be a small furnace of some kind. You would put charcoal in the bottom and force air through the screen area to super-heat the coals. You would insert a crucible at the top (filled with whatever you were trying to melt -- at that small size it would probably not get hot enough to melt anything harder than lead, pewter, aluminum or silver, possibly gold, but not silicon bronze or iron.) Then again, glass takes higher temps than all those, so it might have been a good way to peep in and see what was going on. That would actually be a handy set-up for melting metal for casting small objects like lead sinkers, toy soldiers and other small toy/ game pieces or jewelry, etc.) If the top was covered temporarily with refractory material, it would get really hot, really quickly! Of course, this all depends upon the metal casing of this thing. If it is made of steel or iron, no problem. Anything softer and you might melt the furnace along with the metal in the crucible. It may have been lined with refractory material at one time, but the crucible would be awfully tiny if the lining material was more than an inch or so in thickness. Just random thoughts.

 

[Archeodeb]

Another thought... the three holes on the bottom -- spaced so perfectly like that -- look as though they may have been attachment points for legs. That would help keep the bottom from burning whatever it was sitting on if it was a furnace of some sort.

 

[darryl]

Thanks for the input- I'll start looking in that direction- I'll let ya know how it pans out-

 

[fastdog3377]

Looks like it could be the base for a Porthole Barometer.

 

[darryl]

Looks like it could be the base for a Porthole Barometer.

Fastdog I believe you nailed it- thanks

 

[Archeodeb]

Looks like it could be the base for a Porthole Barometer.

I agree this makes a whole lot more sense than my far-fetched ramblings! It really explains everything -- GOOD I.D.!!! (I have to say though - it would make a nice little furnace with some tweaking and a little bit of refractory material. )

 

[darryl]

I agree this makes a whole lot more sense than my far-fetched ramblings! It really explains everything -- GOOD I.D.!!! (I have to say though - it would make a nice little furnace with some tweaking and a little bit of refractory material. )

Thanks for your help Archeo - I agree with you it would make a nice little furnace.

 

[nsdq]

clock movement holder ?

 

[jack bissey]

Hi there,

I saw your item. We have one very similar to that..........but a bit more complete. The one we have is brass and houses a clock. It is called a "Captain's clock" and would have been used / owned by the captain of the ship. If I can find ours, I will take a picture of it. Ours open up just like yours.

 

[darryl]

Hi there,

I saw your item. We have one very similar to that..........but a bit more complete. The one we have is brass and houses a clock. It is called a "Captain's clock" and would have been used / owned by the captain of the ship. If I can find ours, I will take a picture of it. Ours open up just like yours.

Thank you Jack - I'd really appreciate that- thanks for the info .

 

[jack bissey]

Here are some pictures........ours has a clock with label of Seth Thomas. Pictures are not that good but if you want better, let me know.

 

[darryl]

That's it my friend - wow that's a really neat piece- I thank you again for all the help- this site is great- can always depend on getting assistance here - thanks Jack

 

[jack bissey]

Darryl,

You are welcome......

The size you stated is also similar to ours........bout 7 inches diameter and 4 inches tall.

Can't tell the age but would guess from 40's or 50's. The one we have belonged to my wife's father who was in the Navy during World War II.

Hope this helps......

Jack

 

[Archeodeb]

Wow Jack! I think you get the prize for sure. The barometer was a good, close second though. Who woulda thunk it, there would be so many porthole-like objects out there that weren't actually portholes!?.