Iron and Brass Mystery Relic

[paleomaxx]

I found this a few weeks ago and only just cleaned it today. I was hoping that with the dirt removed I would be able to figure out what it is, but I'm only more confused.



There are three different pieces here that were all one mass held together in the dirt. The main iron is composed of two strips with bolts holding them together. Then there's a heavy brass tube with a spiral groove around the outside, but one end looks like it burst apart and the other is crushed inward. The last piece is an oval ring of iron that is trapped on the iron strips and the brass was wedged into the remaining space.

There were a few associated finds including an ox shoe, scythe ferrule, and carriage bits that suggest this was in or near the barn. The home site is 1820's to 1880's with no modern trash. Any help is appreciated!

 

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[creskol]

It resembles the chassis from some of the antique bell toys I have seen.

 

[P.ALLEN]

I think the brass might have been added to the construction after the fact, maybe as a spacer/filler. My thoughts on what it is, maybe some sort of clamp for a blade or tool? Anyone else think so on both accounts?

 

[Tpmetal]

I think they are unrelated? The iron piece reminds me of part of the rigging for horses/oxen. cant remember what its called. Would go in between a team to connect them, would have been attached to wood in between two of these.

 

[DCMatt]

I think they are unrelated? The iron piece reminds me of part of the rigging for horses/oxen. cant remember what its called. Would go in between a team to connect them, would have been attached to wood in between two of these.

Singletree is the term, I believe... The brass may have been a shaft end...

 

[Tpmetal]

Singletree is the term, I believe... The brass may have been a shaft end...

Thats the one, I always wanna call them a yolk but I know it is the wrong term haha.

 

[DCMatt]

Thats the one, I always wanna call them a yolk but I know it is the wrong term haha.

I know what you mean. Before I began posting on Treasurenet, I didn't know a singletree from a snaffle bit.

BTW... A yolk is inside an egg and a yoke is used on beasts of burden. Don't you love the English language!

 

[paleomaxx]

Singletree is the term, I believe... The brass may have been a shaft end

I'd say that's a pretty good theory; it makes sense given the context from the other relics. And as to the brass being wedged in there I'm thinking maybe they were trying to use the shaft with the brass end as a makeshift tool to pry apart the two pieces of iron. Then the end snapped off and they tossed the whole piece away. The wood rotted and this is what's left.