Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

[j.d. in the usa]

Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Howdy guys... this piece I need some help ID'ing I have been detecting a spot for a while there have been many finds there I will post them when we are done with the spot... But this piece I'm hoping to get more information on.
It is the deepest piece I have ever found its approx. 15lbs. solid brass was over 2 feet down in the ground with my DFX I never thought it could go that deep, the only reason I dug it was the signal was awsome and only old things have been found at this spot, the newest dated piece from this spot has been 1925... I was hopeing for a cashe but this is what I got. The Indian head penny is there for perspective.
The piece I believe is from the Chicago & Alton RR, it was found in a spot where the trains ran from 1872-1931 the piece looks to be old and sand cast...I believe its From the RR because of the C & A thats on the item...
Any help would be greatly appreciated as to what this piece is and what it was used for thanks jd

 

[j.d. in the usa]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

more

 

[pennyfarmer]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Looks like the rail ran in the groove and the spikes were driven into the holes. If the goove for the line looks small mabey it was a narrow guage railroad? I am almost certain this is the function of this artifact.

 

[whitesid]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Looks like the rail ran in the groove and the spikes were driven into the holes. If the goove for the line looks small mabey it was a narrow guage railroad? I am almost certain this is the function of this artifact.

i agree

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

JD,

your digging 2 ft down and pulling up
15 lbs artifacts. Wow

Can we get measurements on the item?

My back hurts just looking at it and thinking
about digging it 2 ft down

have a good un........

 

[j.d. in the usa]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Sherm let me try to find a tape measure and ill try to get the measurements.. LOL talk about back my wife wants to kill me because I pulled it out digging for the damn thing plus there was a 1/2 mile walk back to the car with the piece that almost killed me...hehe lol 2ft. is a low estimate I believe it was deeper bit i didnt bother to measure it in the end I almost gave up digging but my Sunray Probe stayed at a good VDI and I just had to see what it was I knew it wasnt deep iron because of the probe..

 

[Jason in TN]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

I think it may have had something to do with capping or sealing off steam some where. A tank or line maybe. Do not think you would run rails on brass it is very soft and would not support the weight of a train. Just a Guess. Could also be a piece a spring type suspension would have ridden on. May have been two soft for that also. Something for some reason they did not want to rust brass is not cheap.

 

[pennyfarmer]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

In the early days the rail ties werent exactly the square examples we have today. They had a bit of a curve to them and when they were nailed to the curved ties this would be a perfect example.

Ok now I have been drinking tonight but dag nab it I am sure I am right.

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Sherm let me try to find a tape measure and ill try to get the measurements.. LOL talk about back my wife wants to kill me because I pulled it out digging for the damn thing plus there was a 1/2 mile walk back to the car with the piece that almost killed me...hehe lol 2ft. is a low estimate I believe it was deeper bit i didnt bother to measure it in the end I almost gave up digging but my Sunray Probe stayed at a good VDI and I just had to see what it was I knew it wasnt deep iron because of the probe..

JD,

your silly like me; I fell down two weeks ago,
still hurting, (ribs), a bit. Have not been out hunting
since. Woman is ticked that I'm not doing anything
around the house, I'm ticked because I'm missing the
last few good days until the cold and snow moves in

But when all is said and done,
never know what you will find.
Have to go for it

have a good un........

 

[j.d. in the usa]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

lol sherm I understand hope you get back out there soon!!

 

[j.d. in the usa]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

thanks for your replies there are some good ideas there!! jd

 

[Kansasippi]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Most probably is some sort of bronze alloy bearing cap the small holes are to let the oil/lub in and groove on the outside was mabe to hold a scupper to splash oil....reminds me of babbet type bearing housings on an old Frick sawmill.

 

[EDDE]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

axle brake
hitch coupler

 

[gregd573]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

Hey JD.........don't know what your find is..........but it sure is great!!!! Hope it turns out to be RR item..........HH........gregd573

 

[Southcacalaky]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

No clues here, but nice artifact, HH Art...

 

[j.d. in the usa]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

thanks guys!!! its neat trying to figure what the piece is.

 

[Night Stalker]

Re: Chicago & Alton RR piece find...

No clue here JD, but it sure is a nice find!

Great looking relic....

 

[railroad-relic-hunter]

It's railroad axle/journal bearing. It appears to be missing the lead babbit from the underside curved area. I have found a few of these along abandoned RR lines over the years. Some were marked with RR names others weren't. It's deffinately a nice find! If you would be interested in selling it let me know.