Found a Lead Bar

[Trippin79]

I live in Saint Joseph Missouri. My wife came across a lead bar stamped National Lead Co, while doing some cleaning on a foreclosure we bought. It looks old. Other than the obvious, I can't find any info about it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

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[against the wind]

It may have been intended for use by a plumber. Most early cast iron waste pipes were joined with oakum and poured lead.

 

[trapperart]

I agree with atw

 

[Markypie]

Probably make good bullets. Send it to me and I'll check it out for you!

 

[longislanddertfisher]

It may have been intended for use by a plumber. Most early cast iron waste pipes were joined with oakum and poured lead.

Spot on! Atw

 

[FriscoT06]

what a cool find! I wonder if it is worth more as a relic or potentially as low alpha lead?

 

[trdking]

It is worth its weight in lead

 

[vpnavy]

I noticed this is your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: Missouri for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

..: Moved from Today's Finds! over to Our Discoveries > What Is It? for more exposure :..​

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Send it to me I need more sinker lead.LOLJ/K

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

According to Wikipedia:
It began business in Philadelphia in 1772. The name "National Lead Company" was used since 1891 after a series of mergers. National Lead changed its name to NL Industries in 1971.

The name on your lead bar is written in "serifed" lettering, which when stamped into a metal object "usually" indicates the object was made more than 100 years ago, or even much earlier. Anybody who doesn't already know what "serifed" letters are can look at the words United States on a US dollar bill. From the early-1900s onward, most metal-stampings are written in "plain block" lettering (like the word Liberty on a US penny).

 

[stephenlopez]

It's true these kind of tools were earlier used by plumbers. (REMOVED ADVERTISEMENT) You can ask such experienced professionals if they are familiar with the tool.

 

[Gavinsdiscoveries]

National Lead Company, is a lead smelting company currently based in Houston, Texas. It began business in Philadelphia in 1772. May fron a different place-
This info is from wikapedia-