No one can figure out this

[Gumba143]

Found near a river, I have ideas but nothing concrete

 

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[old digger]

Welcome to tnet!

What state was it found in?

 

[Gumba143]

Welcome to tnet!

What state was it found in?

Wisconsin, the best theories are steering mechanics of an old watercraft of some sort on the river

 

[Johnbrian]

The udder from an iron cow?

 

[smokeythecat]

Johnbrian, I was thinking along those lines also.

 

[Kray Gelder]

I thinks it's a rudder steering gear. The rudder shaft went vertically through the center. Those knobs engaged a large screw drive that was connected to the wheel. The screw turned one way or the other, depending on which way the steering wheel was turned, and drove the shaft to rotate. A rudder didn't turn 360 degrees, this one would rotate 180 degrees.

 

[vpnavy]

I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard Gumba143! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country). You might also consider adding your state (or country) to your displayed profile (SETTINGS -> EDIT PROFILE) so if you ask a question, etc. - people may have more success helping you (if necessary)...

 

[Gumba143]

I thinks it's a rudder steering gear. The rudder shaft went vertically through the center. Those knobs engaged a large screw drive that was connected to the wheel. The screw turned one way or the other, depending on which way the steering wheel was turned, and drove the shaft to rotate. A rudder didn't turn 360 degrees, this one would rotate 180 degrees.

thanks kray, I'm with you on what it might be/is. I would love a time frame to its use, a picture of something similar, type of craft, anything if you have a direction for those answers... notice the rounded ends of the knobs from one end to the other gradually lower from one end to the other, not ball bearings, interesting... what if the knobs inserted into a wooden piece ? no actual gear on this, that could help with a time frame?

 

[Kray Gelder]

thanks kray, I'm with you on what it might be/is. I would love a time frame to its use, a picture of something similar, type of craft, anything if you have a direction for those answers... notice the rounded ends of the knobs from one end to the other gradually lower from one end to the other, not ball bearings, interesting... what if the knobs inserted into a wooden piece ? no actual gear on this, that could help with a time frame?

Your post got my interest up, so I spent some time trying to find an image of your find. No luck. But if you search images of sector gears and worm drives, you will find the modern equivalent of it.

 

[Bruce R]

With the ring on it, it looks like someone was using it for a boat anchor and lost it.

 

[Gumba143]

I recently learned the city that I found this in manufactured Steamboat for a short period of time until the train came in