Does anybody know what these two items are?

creskol · Feb 27, 2020

Found on Church Hill, as it is known locally, where there was some Civil War activity, as well as an old house site. They measure 1.75 inches from center to center on the holes, the nut on the back is .5 inch square, and the one on the front is .75 x .75 x .187 thick. The total width is just over .625 of an inch. The plate with the two holes matches the brackets perfectly. All made of brass.

ticndig · Feb 27, 2020

Not exact, but the y remind me of grounding lugs

Kray Gelder · Feb 27, 2020

I noticed all the pieces are hand fabricated. Cut and bent, filed into shape. A specific use in mind, but what? I think they're adjustable wall mounts for something. The larger part of each that is bent, with the side flaps, would be mounted to the wall ( probably vertically ), with the fat nut and bolt already in place. The protruding bolt in front would be placed through whatever you're hanging, the item leveled, then the large thin nut would tighten that down. The side flaps keep the rear nut from turning. If these units were found assembled, then whatever was mounted was probably wood, long gone. If these haven't been fiddled with, if you pull thin nut and bolt end, drawing the fat nut tight into the slot, measure the gap between the thin nut, and the wall mount, and you'll know the thickness of the wood that was mounted.

creskol · Feb 27, 2020

Kray Gelder said:
I noticed all the pieces are hand fabricated. Cut and bent, filed into shape. A specific use in mind, but what? I think they're adjustable wall mounts for something. The larger part of each that is bent, with the side flaps, would be mounted to the wall ( probably vertically ), with the fat nut and bolt already in place. The protruding bolt in front would be placed through whatever you're hanging, the item leveled, then the large thin nut would tighten that down. The side flaps keep the rear nut from turning. If these units were found assembled, then whatever was mounted was probably wood, long gone. If these haven't been fiddled with, if you pull thin nut and bolt end, drawing the fat nut tight into the slot, measure the gap between the thin nut, and the wall mount, and you'll know the thickness of the wood that was mounted.

That's interesting. They are both as found, and were recovered not more than 2 ft from each other, One hole had just the bracket, while the other had a bracket and the plate.I'm guessing the cube shaped nut must have originally fit inside the bracket, but both sides on both brackets appear to bent inward a bit keeping this from happening now. however, if they were to bottom out in the bracket, there would be a gap of 9/16" or so between the larger square nut an the face of the bracket.

Gare · Feb 27, 2020

I am going to go out on a limb and guess some kind of antique locking or latch type device for a drawer or cabinet door. I have been looking and doing research but have not come up with anything yet. I do think there is more parts to them

creskol · Feb 27, 2020

Gare said:
I am going to go out on a limb and guess some kind of antique locking or latch type device for a drawer or cabinet door. I have been looking and doing research but have not come up with anything yet. I do think there is more parts to them

Thank you for trying .. I have been coming up empty handed as well.

invent4hir · Feb 27, 2020

On the first and second photo there appears to be rubber above and below the square nut. So, perhaps this is some kind of bushing with most of the rubber rotted away.

Gare · Feb 27, 2020

I think a handle or Knob screws on the part that looks like it is threaded

GoldieLocks · Feb 28, 2020

Antique light switches?

Machkin · Feb 28, 2020

First thought was part of old Fuse box.

Diggin' History · Feb 29, 2020

It's quite possibly some type of Vibration Damping Mount for a motor of some sort (if that is actually rubber I see). Only guessing but, that's what they look like to me.

http://vibrationmountsindia.com/ebrubber/images/EGA-Marine_Application_1.jpg

Cheers
-DH-

creskol · Feb 29, 2020

I pulled them back out of my junk bucket and what looks like rubber in the photo turned out to be just caked in dirt.

Gare · Feb 29, 2020

can you tell us a little more about the area. Noit where but like when it was built. Is it still standing or did it burn down ? If it burnt down can you say when. What I am trying to come up with is a date for the things. BTW Creskol I wish you had never found them. You have NO IDEA how much time i have spent looking for them !!! LOLOLOLOL

One more thought Are they both the EXACT same size if you understand my question

Diggin' History · Feb 29, 2020

OK, I have officially gone bat-chit crazy researching these - right there with ya Gare - coz I know that I have seen these somewhere before but, for the life of me, I can't remember.

Sleep, sleep, you are getting very sleepy!

Whoever coined the phrase, "I love a challenge!" can go straight to... never mind.

For now I'm going to say that they are... Thing-a-ma-bobs that attach to a What-cha-ma-callit that is secured to a Doohickey by Bubble Gum and Duct Tape and was invented by Who-dun-it then sold to Jack-in-the-box. Just sayin'.

I'm slap happy... Nap time.
-DH-

creskol · Feb 29, 2020

Gare said:
can you tell us a little more about the area. Noit where but like when it was built. Is it still standing or did it burn down ? If it burnt down can you say when. What I am trying to come up with is a date for the things. BTW Creskol I wish you had never found them. You have NO IDEA how much time i have spent looking for them !!! LOLOLOLOL

One more thought Are they both the EXACT same size if you understand my question

The house foundation and chimney are still there, and was built in the early-mid 1800's. Not sure what happened to it, but no real tell-tale signs that it burned. It saw Civil War activity during the Valley Campaign, so I guess it could have been burned by the North, but I don't know that. Both pieces appear to be identical, and somewhat crudely made.

I appreciate your efforts, Gare .. I have damn near yanked out my hair trying to figure these things out, too!

I like DH's ID of them being "Thing-a-ma-bobs that attach to a What-cha-ma-callit that is secured to a Doohickey by Bubble Gum and Duct Tape and was invented by Who-dun-it then sold to Jack-in-the-box" :laughing7: