Some kind of smelter?

[pro303]

I was told it was for blacksmithing. But it seems way too small. Maybe for jewelers? I don't see how to either load coal or even any type of gas hook up. So I really don't know.

 

[cudamark]

It could be a crucible I suppose..... but, usually then have a pouring spout of some sort. Maybe a mold? Does it come apart? Looks to have two halves bolted together.

 

[releventchair]

I'm not familiar with that type but it appears to be part of a blower.
Air supply to fire in center. Coke piled around it.
The center of the forge in pic is being fed with air from below...

 

[Crispin]

I was thinking crucible as well. It looks like there is an area of space between the top and bottom half. Can you unscrew it and see if the top comes off. Also, there is a gold color on the top of it. Is that part of the original piece or spill off? Can you identify the metal it is made of? Questions, questions without answers. Riddles, Riddles, in the deep. We cannot get out, they are coming, we cannot get out...they are here.

 

[pro303]

It may be for hooking up to a blower. I believe the guy called it a ducks nest. Maybe for having very intense heat in a small area. It's made I cast iron, the gold looking coloring on top is more than likely just rust. I'll try and take it apart later on.

 

[releventchair]

Single duck nest Tuyere. I could not remember tuyere till looking at forge parts...
A bellows fit in the round feed tube,tapered to fit and seal.
With the development of hand crank blowers and eventually electric ones the bellows fell out of popularity.
You have an oldie!
Without a clinker breaker they had to be able to be disassembled to clean the glass like impurities that could clog them or reduce air flow.
Of interest to mentions of a crucible or jewelry...this piece fits below the "sink" or container for fire .
If you imagine your kitchen sink, where the strainer fits it would be almost touching this tuyere.
With coke built up in a berm shape around a crucible raised slightly above the floor of sink the likelihood of it or burnt coal and clinkers falling below would be less likely.
The advertisement mentions "moulders", as well as blacksmiths so the purpose of the device's use is maybe not for common blacksmithing?
Probably usable on most forges though as a grate usually covered the hole but maybe a special design/use in the duck nest?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1904-AD-Bla...pion-Forges-/151220587544?hash=item2335730c18