Mystery Item found under stacked rocks

[ericward0576]

A friend of mine found this while detecting out near the Santa Rita mountains in southern Arizona. It was found under what appeared to be stacked up rocks. The item is sitting on top of a shoe box in the photos for scale. It is made of iron. I researched the markings "BRM Co." and could come up with nothing. The material sealing up the end is unknown, it is a hard substance, but not cement hard, as it flakes off when scraped with a fingernail. Anyone have any idea what this is?

 

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[jambone]

I don't know what it is, but cleaned up, it would make an awesome beer tap handle!

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like a chain pull maybe for an old feed store/barn door?

 

[Mr.Bond]

In the top left image, it looks as if there is a bit of wood from a shaft remaining in it, leading me to wonder if perhaps it is some sort of handle?

I also wonder if it could be a cork that i am seeing and that maybe it is a powder flask? I'm not sure if those were typically made of iron or steel that would rust like that, but it is kind of the proper shape for one.

 

[ericward0576]

Agreed! on the tap handle idea.

 

[ericward0576]

In the top left image, it looks as if there is a bit of wood from a shaft remaining in it, leading me to wonder if perhaps it is some sort of handle?

I also wonder if it could be a cork that i am seeing and that maybe it is a powder flask? I'm not sure if those were typically made of iron or steel that would rust like that, but it is kind of the proper shape for one.

Not wood or cork, it's a hard substance, like sediment or something.

 

[GoldieLocks]

It's a branding iron for cattle, right? Or if you pound the top side and it's against a piece of actual leather, it will leave the initials as an impression?

 

[SanMan]

I don't know what it is, but cleaned up, it would make an awesome beer tap handle!

Agreed! on the tap handle idea.

I'm right there with these two guys,........

 

[unclemac]

is that a set screw on the end?

 

[Anduril]

is that a set screw on the end?

Or a grease fitting?

 

[wilcam47]

Usually the bigger letter is first so Rbm co.?

 

[firemanphob]

If that is in fact a setscrew, I would say it is the handle from something that used the weight of the handle to keep the lever engaged or applied pressure to a belt drive of some sort. looks like something that could have came off of an old steam engine possibly. the knob on the end could have been a place to hook a chain ring or hook to hold it up when disengaged.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Maybe a 10-lbs core driver? Very neat find under a corner carin?

 

[dognose]

Appreciate the box for scale.

But could you supply measurements please?

 

[DCMatt]

I was thinking its a handle off something railroad/train related but I don't know what.

There was a Bradshaw Mountain Railroad Company (BMR Co.) around the turn of the 20th C but they were more central AZ.

 

[islamoradamark]

sure is neat looks like it still has some of the original paint on it

 

[ericward0576]

Or a grease fitting?

It is a set screw.

 

[ericward0576]

If that is in fact a setscrew, I would say it is the handle from something that used the weight of the handle to keep the lever engaged or applied pressure to a belt drive of some sort. looks like something that could have came off of an old steam engine possibly. the knob on the end could have been a place to hook a chain ring or hook to hold it up when disengaged.

It is a set screw, and this idea seems like a pretty good one.

 

[ericward0576]

Appreciate the box for scale.

But could you supply measurements please?

It is about 6" long, 2" wide(widest point), and about 1.5" thick

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

My first thought was antique wrought iron bedpost finial.
But after doing some online research, I'm thinking it may be from a fireplace andiron or even a toilet pull-chain.

Dave