Copper what is it?

[Bigcypresshunter]

Found this copper plate in the surf at lo tide today after digging a strong signal in the sand. Its about 2-1/2" by 3" and thinner than a penney. Front and back pics.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

No guesses? It probably came from a boat.

 

[La Beep]

Might be a rafter joining plate/anchor.
La Beep

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Might be a rafter joining plate/anchor.
La Beep

It kinda looks like one but I never seen one made of copper.

I think the three tabs were to crimp down on a cable or wire like this, but for what? Copper is used for its electrical properties or for corrosion resistance such as for use in a wet or saltwater environment.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Since the What Is It forum is slow now in the Summer, Im bringing this old post back up.
Its been bugging me.

Its copper but actually pretty strong. Its thinner than a penny but not much.

I looked it over closely and no markings. There are scratches on the backside.


Could this be from a leather belt of some kind?

 

[Breezie]

BCH, I really have no idea what it is, but it looks electrical related. It reminds me of a elec. plate that goes between the stud and a ceiling light figure and/or the junction type box in a wall socket. The modern ones really don't look like yours, but maybe it is a 'cousin' to one. Maybe your plate was in one of these Victorian era machines:
http://www.earlytech.com/shop/view_all
Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont even know if its old but it doesnt match with anything I ever saw. It definitely stiff copper.

I wonder if it could be something from a diving belt?

The only things I find in the surf are pop tops, bottle caps, coins, jewelry, cellphones, eyeglasses, sometimes toys, shipwreck items and fishing weights. This is an unusual find for the ocean where I hunt.

 

[njguy]

I'm thinking it's an old school picture hanger. Lift up two tabs to mount a heavy frame, lift up one tab for a lighter frame and add as many screws through the holes as needed.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Might be a rafter joining plate/anchor.
La Beep

That is what it looks like to me also...are you sure it is copper or could it just be burnt or corroded?

Im sure its copper or maybe bronze alloy. I found it 8 inches under sand in saltwater. A magnet does not stick. The holes are too large for nails.

Sometimes I find items tossed out by boaters. Beer cans or brass items like rivets. Maybe a boater tossed it out but what is it?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I'm thinking it's an old school picture hanger. Lift up two tabs to mount a heavy frame, lift up one tab for a lighter frame and add as many screws through the holes as needed.

Ill look into it. But the holes are large. The holes are larger than a pencil. Ill take a better pic. It would be for very large screws like lag bolts maybe but I dont see any washer marks to show it was ever screwed or bolted to anything.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The copper piece is most likely worthless and insignificant, not worth our time but Im curious as to what it is and I thought someone may recognize it.

Im sure its not a rafter joining plate or ceiling fan bracket because I have worked with both.
I dont think its a picture hanger either because the holes are large enough for a 3/8" bolt. Something seems to have bent the tangs and I dont think it was wave action.

More pics.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Maybe your plate was in one of these Victorian era machines:
http://www.earlytech.com/shop/view_all
Breezie

cool link Im thinking some kind of bracket ripped from a cargo ship, boat or diving equipment. Maybe from a cargo belt. Items often wash in from the Florida East coast shipping lanes.