lead thingies?

[Trimbaker]

I have found two bands of lead. one has some letters on it and a hole, as I think it was repurposed as a fishing weight. ( salt water dig) what have I?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I think those are [duck] decoy anchor sections.

Here's an older thread.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/608597-could-lead-casting-bar.html

 

[releventchair]

There were keel weights attached to the bottom of decoys as well. To balance the decoy itself.
Some had owner names/initials.
Easy enough to modify a "strap" weight (section of one0 that could be used to anchor a decoy , to use as a keel weight.
With strap weights used as anchors (vs keel weights) they could be shaped like a bracelet to fit over the decoys neck for transport/storage after wrapping the cord that held the anchor.

 

[Trimbaker]

Hmmm, Looks like this lead may have started out as plumbers solder, used in joining cast iron pipe for instance, oakum and lead joints, but being a very soft and handy size, it got cut and used for everything...duck decoy weights makes good sense, I am finding this on the edge of an island in the sound. I have found pieces in the woods too and it may well have been carried as scrap to melt and pour in bullet molds. I am going to hold out for some more ideas from you-all. This is such a good forum. Thank you.

 

[ticndig]

plumbing lead for doing lead joints came in 5 LB cakes not little strips. each joint required one pound of lead for each inch of pipe diameter . so large amounts of lead were melted at a time not lite strips . also plumbers solder is not the same thing or used the same way. vintage solder has lead in it as well as tin and is used to solder copper pipes and comes on a role . it could be lead used for tinning roofs and gutters though.