Circular Lead Objects

[jliller]

Hello everyone. My first post here.

I hope someone has some idea what these odd objects are. All the same size (3/4" diameter & 1/2" thick) found in the same location. I believe they are made of lead and no older than 1860 (based on history of the area).



Thanks for any help in identifying these objects!

 

[Lizz]

There are two things I think after looking at your pic: #1 The EPA may have said after testing, your item is lead, but there is some iron in there too because I see rust in the crevasses. Lead doesn't rust. #2 "If" it is lead, it is not very old because when it ages in the ground, lead forms a nice, white patina.

Since I just started MD a few weeks ago, I keep in mind your warning about State Parks. Welcome to the forum, Breezie

Thanks, Breezie!

Yes, I believe there is iron too. These objects, along with others we found, do not have a patina. They were unearthed in very thick river mud, which may have helped in preserving them longer and keeping them from forming a patina (no air exposure). The area they were found in has a date range from 1860 to 1950 based off the objects we have discovered.

 

[Breezie]

I thought of 2 other vintage items, other than plant frogs that have lead based pins/spikes: Meat tenderizers and Graters. All 3 of those items had to be made in a manufacturing company, and the spikes could have been fed through a machine in a 'roll' very much like a nails in a row for a nail gun. Basically the pins/spikes are in a row that could be rolled.

Your item had a star-sharped outer area, which could have served to hold the grater/tenderizer ball as well as make it convenient for your fingers to hold the grater. See if it fits your fingers.

 

[Plug N Play]

(Thinking out loud, quietly)

Perhaps the "star" is deceiving ... wondering if it could of have been a "plate full of holes" with a bunch of these dohickeys ?