It is 8 inches wide and 12 inches tall .. What the heck is it?

[creskol]

I am trying to help ID a cast iron object a fellow relic hunter found. Any ideas what this thing might be?

 

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[ARC]

Well now that is odd.

 

[ticndig]

My guess is a gate weight.

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

Broken bell?

 

[ticndig]

A cast iron bell would thud instead of ring.

 

[No gold in NY]

A cast iron bell would thud instead of ring.

Can't argue with the shape though...

 

[Red-Coat]

"Bell Metal" is traditionally bronze, but there are plenty of old bells around made from brass, cast iron and steel. Cast iron is much less resonant, but doesn't necessarily just produce a 'thud'. Both iron and steel were in common use over here during the mid 1800s because they were a lot cheaper than bronze, but generally not beyond the 1870s for large bells because they proved to be less durable (prone to cracking).

 

[creskol]

The bottom edge baffles me .. It looks more like a cog of some sort. Also, the neck of this thing.. where a clapper would be if it is a bell.. wouldn't resonate very well I wouldn't think.

 

[islamoradamark]

looks like a old bell to me , but looks can be deceiving

 

[Tpmetal]

not a bell in my opinion, the bottom lip fits into something else with those keys

 

[Nesco]

not a bell in my opinion, the bottom lip fits into something else with those keys

Ive found a couple of old table top fans< and that looks like the base section

 

[HuntinDog]

How about a small boat anchor

 

[ARC]

To me... it looks like an old cast iron Floor fan base or the likes... that was repurposed into a weight for some odd reason.

 

[Tpmetal]

Ive found a couple of old table top fans< and that looks like the base section

feet are another possibilty

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Looks like it would work as a river anchor to slow the drift of a small boat without snagging in rocks or stumps.

Doesn't mean that it was.

Weird that it has little "feet" to prevent a flush fit around the bell. Had to be a purpose for those.

Chimney pipe creosote scraper?

 

[Tpmetal]

Looks like it would work as a river anchor to slow the drift of a small boat without snagging in rocks or stumps.

Doesn't mean that it was.

Weird that it has little "feet" to prevent a flush fit around the bell. Had to be a purpose for those.

Chimney pipe creosote scraper?

like the way your brain works, but I wouldn't slam that around in a stove pipe and risk tearing it apart...........and older brick chimneys it seems like it would not work well in the corners

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Maybe some type of old weight to keep power lines from swaying in high winds?

 

[RustyGold]

Gate Weight.

 

[Anduril]

Maybe a cap for something, or a mold (and those ridges at the bottom are so you can get a crowbar in there, or something, to shake it loose from the mold.)
A total guess, BTW.

But I don't think it's a bell either.

 

[villagenut]

sounding weight