Large Triangular Piece...

[The Beep Goes On]

A friend and I were hunting in Port Arthur, TX and I found this item. I am not sure what it is...the only thought that has come to mind is that it may be the tip of one of the hands of a clock (I know...huge clock, like one in a clock tower or something). The short side looks like it may have been attached to something at one time. Any ideas?

Weight: 3.88oz (109.9g)
Length: 2in (51mm)
Width: 1.5in (39mm)

Beep

 

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[72cheyenne]

I keep thinking of a pie piece of a complete circle.

Or an early Trivia Pursuit game.

 

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[The Beep Goes On]

...a very heavy Ouija Board planchette...?

Because of the indentations (so it is lighter) is why I had the thought of it being a clock hand tip...I know it is a far-fetched idea...

 

[Steve_UK]

Looks to me like a crucible, in which metals etc are heated from underneath, then poured out from the pointed end.

If my memory serves me well, we had similar things in our science classes in the 60's.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Looks to me like a crucible, in which metals etc are heated from underneath, then poured out from the pointed end.

If my memory serves me well, we had similar things in our science classes in the 60's.

Could be, but the material isn't what would normally be used for a crucible...

"Crucibles and their covers are made of high temperature-resistant materials, usually porcelain or an inert metal. One of the earliest uses of platinum was to make crucibles. Ceramics such as alumina, zirconia, and especially magnesia will tolerate the highest temperatures. More recently, metals such as nickel and zirconium have been used."

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Some thoughts:

Its very rough on the outside, not machined or filed. Looks were not important; at least not on the outside.

No way to connect to anything. Maybe its broken off somewhere. Can we see a better pic of the shortside where it may be broken?

Are those numbers on the point?

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Some thoughts:

Its very rough on the outside, not machined or filed. Looks were not important; at least not on the outside.

No way to connect to anything. Maybe its broken off somewhere. Can we see a better pic of the shortside where it may be broken?

Are those numbers on the point?

Those are just dents on the tip...not numbers or anything meaningful that I can discern. Here's a pic of the short side...

Something was attached, but it doesn't appear that strength was a priority.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Im not sure anything was attached. It just looks rough or is that solder?

Good pic.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Im not sure anything was attached. It just looks rough or is that solder?

Good pic.

Well, if something was attached, this is where it would have been. This is the only side that has an outline and distorted metal.

 

[IronSpike]

Just a guess. Could it be a decorative spike for like a wheel of sorts or maybe knob? Item hollowed out to reduce weight and also present a decorative look from both sides.

 

[intimer]

maybe some sort of spacer?
the indentions can receive round or ball shape?

just two cents worth!

mike

 

[lostcauses]

dent remover, wedge, old soldering iorn for body work etc. LOL I should know what this is, driving me nutz.

 

[Tnmountains]

You have every photo except looking down at the top.Could you please post that photo.
Thanks, this is a good one simple yet sooooo complex.Lol
TnMtns

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You have every photo except looking down at the top.Could you please post that photo.
Thanks, this is a good one simple yet sooooo complex.Lol
TnMtns

Where is the top?

 

[The Beep Goes On]

You have every photo except looking down at the top.Could you please post that photo.
Thanks, this is a good one simple yet sooooo complex.Lol
TnMtns

Looking at the original post...

1st pic: Top
2nd pic: Top
3rd pic: Bottom
4th pic: Long Side
5th pic: Other Long Side
6th pic: Short Side

It is a very symmetrical piece...top and bottom look the same.

Beep

 

[Tnmountains]

ok so it is cupped the same on both sides. I thought maybe some type of brass stanchion on a rail. But am thinking now a brass bushing. It shows no wear though ?

 

[The Beep Goes On]

ok so it is cupped the same on both sides. I thought maybe some type of brass stanchion on a rail. But am thinking now a brass bushing. It shows no wear though ?

The top and bottom have no wear to speak of. The sides have some machine/file marks (as you can see in the pics) and the short side has the marks discussed previously (possible attachment area). It doesn't look like it has been subjected to any cyclical wear, as in a moving part.

You can see in the side pics that one edge ("the bottom") has an edge that is more ablated than the "top" (see pic #5 in OP). This may indicate that it did have a top/bottom in terms of function or as a result of manufacture.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I see the bottom. The top edge and the outsides are still very rough from the foundry and do not appear to have engaged anything with the lack of wear. I dont know if those marks are file marks, they may be from the mold. I also dont think it had a handle because it is too odd of an outline shape. I dont think that is solder either. It just looks like a rough casting. It appears to have no other purpose than to sit on a flat surface such as that of an ashtray.

 

[IronSpike]

Maybe brass weight from a nested set? Although triangular shape would appear unusual.

http://images.google.com/images?ndsp=20&hl=en&um=1&sa=3&q=brass+nested+weights

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Maybe brass weight from a nested set? Although triangular shape would appear unusual.

http://images.google.com/images?ndsp=20&hl=en&um=1&sa=3&q=brass+nested+weights

Not sure if there is enough room to "nest" another item...the nested item would have to be much smaller.

 

[lastleg]

Could it be a prototype for a bathtub for amputees?