Is this a flare cartridge? Weird brass cap looking thing.

[Breezie]

When I first dug this today, I thought it was a flare cartridge, but I'm not really sure what it is now. It's extremely heavy for its size, so I thought the dirt on the inside was causing the weight. I tapped it several times on the shovel handle, but couldn't get the dirt out. When I got it home, I soaked it, but the dirt still would not come out. I tried picking it out with a small screw driver, then an ice pick and noticed most of what was coming out was jet black, and it attracted a magnet. The dirt or whatever black particles inside are not rusted, so it is not iron. The metal on this casing is so thick/strong, I cannot open it any further with a large screw driver. I'll put it in a vice tomorrow to get a better grip. The base is slightly larger than a penny. Any thoughts on this one will be appreciated. Breezie

 

[lostcauses]

Strange, sounds like a battery casing from what you describe coming out of it. Also might be a rim fire: or look around the bottom edges for a pin: pin fire cartage.

Then there is the lipstick cover possibility also.

 

[Sheldon J]

Casings have more of a pronounced lip for extraction from the chamber, maybe the tip to something?

 

[deepskyal]

The black stuff does sound like carbon from a battery...but the brass throws me.

Al

 

[lostcauses]

Some early electronic devices also had brass casings . Capacitor casing possibly also.

 

[Tuberale]

Just a thought: protective cap for furniture?

 

[deepskyal]

Maybe a carbon arc rod from an old street light or lamp. They still sell them for movie projectors only instead of brass casing they use copper.
http://www.vintagestreetlights.com/history/arc.html

Al

 

[kenley]

Hi Breezie;
I pegged it as one end of a "cartridge" type electrical fuse. The kind that had a glass or rolled paper center section.
Glad that someone is getting out. It finally warmed up here, but the wind is blowing rocks around the yard. We havn't had a drop of rain in three months and the ground is like concrete. I went by the lake yesterday and saw some catfish with ticks hanging off them.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I pegged it as one end of a "cartridge" type electrical fuse. The kind that had a glass or rolled paper center section.

yeah fuze cap, I find a lot of them here for some reason.

 

[Breezie]

Thanks to all who replied. I agree with Kenley, I do think it is a cartridge type electrical fuse after looking at the pics of those fuses. Al are the carbon arc rods basically fuses? I can green check this one, and toss the fuse. Breezie

PS: Kenley, ticks on the catfish; now that is some dry weather! LOL

 

[Monty]

Looks like the end off a fuse for a breaker switch. Monty