what do we have here? musical? electrical? mechanical?

[Older The Better]

found this in my front yard today some sort of brass/copper thing about 8 inches long any ideas?

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Some sort of latch is about the best I can think of, to what I have no idea

 

[Anduril]

Door for a battery compartment?
I'm thinking the "fingers" in photo #2 connect the batteries electrically.
And the swivel "locking lever" visible in both photos is what holds the door closed.

 

[DCMatt]

It appears to be an access panel of some sort. It is a precision part but not electrical per se as it is all brass/copper (no insulators...).

Maybe for a mantel clock or a small radio? The "fingers" or tabs mentioned by Anduril remind me of some modern desktop computer case "easy removal" side panels. Not saying yours is from a computer. Yours is obviously way older...

 

[Bruce R]

Looks like half of the brass “mouth” of a leather change purse.

 

[Peyton Manning]

chastity belt

 

[Older The Better]

thanks for the guesses ive been meaning to post some better pics... once i remember to take them

 

[trdking]

Looks like the top cover for a large scraper

 

[Older The Better]

slightly better pics

 

[Older The Better]

just noticed the writing on the lever says Pat'd jan 4th 70 along the arc and april 25 71 along the base

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like the lid/door for an old fly fishing fly box. They were attached to the waders or belt.

 

[zombieraccoon]

Patent Database Search Results: isd/1/4/1870 in US Patent Collection

cant do it from my phone, but you coukd browse through patents issued by date