Small "wagon wheel looking" thing

[Massieville Mike]

Found this in the yard of a old (1800s) farmhouse on my father-in-laws property. Home that is there now is actually "wrapped around" what was originally a log cabin. I've found a variety of things around the property varying in age from mid 1800s to present day stuff. This thing is thin, appears to be maybe brass, and although lying nine to ten inches underground for who knows how long, had very little crust, corrosion or any other obvious damage/deterioration. It cleaned up pretty nice I think. It has been suggested that it is maybe a gear, or toy train wheel. I was leaning toward gear at first as well, but it has no "teeth". Got an ID, guess or thought on this little relic? Would love to here from ya! Thanks for looking, Mike

 

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[kermit]

GUESS!!!! Looks like it could be used to cover a small hole in a wood box. Kind of like the holes that would be found in a home made apple fruit press?

 

[fowledup]

inner workings of a clock or pocket watch?

 

[sutphin]

THE WHEELS IN THE CLOCK GO ROUND AND ROUND . THAT IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE MIKE.

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like a vent for an early gas burner/ hot plate. Tony

 

[Kevlardini]

It could possibly be a spin wheel from inside a clock even though it has no teeth. Here's a picture of a clock mechanism I recently found, and as you can see, the clocks had some disks with no teeth, probably acting as counterweight or something.

As for a toy train wheel, the fact that it has holes all around the rim makes me think no. Like Tony said it could also be part of a gas burner, or maybe even an oil lamp. Still a cool piece, even without a definite ID!

 

[DCMatt]

Old school fly fishing reel part.

 

[Doubter in MD]

Since the holes aren't consistent (symmetrical) throughout the part I'm guessing it is the balance wheel for the hairspring of a clock. They would drill holes where they needed them in order to balance the wheel.

Also, I believe Kevlardini is pointing at the balance wheel in the clock mechanism in the photo.

But DCMatt's guess looks pretty good too.