What is this????? Civil war item?

[Depths Of History]

Lund this today at a civil war tearout driveway zone.
Any ideas.
Found in a big civil war place
Found about 10 inches deep

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

I could be wrong, but I think it looks like the yoke for a throwout bearing from an old transmission... (not the part marked with the arrow, the one toward the bottom of the pic)

 

[NHBandit]

Clutch fork from a manual transmission was the first thing that came to mind for me as well.

 

[creskol]

I have never seen an articulated fork before.

 

[Depths Of History]

How old?

 

[Depths Of History]

I could be wrong, but I think it looks like the yoke for a throwout bearing from an old transmission... (not the part marked with the arrow, the one toward the bottom of the pic) <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=935492"/>

Looks like it a lot

 

[cudamark]

Any markings on it? Maybe some measurements and/or something for scale?

 

[Depths Of History]

Any markings on it? Maybe some measurements and/or something for scale?

Nope,
No markings of any writing.
Just the object

 

[creskol]

HOW big is it? Is it Brass?

 

[Depths Of History]

HOW big is it? Is it Brass?

It is about 10.5 to 12 in long and it is solid brass

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Looks like an antique tractor clutch fork.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

"I have never seen an articulated fork before."

Neither have I, but I guess there's a first for everything. Not sure how it would work the way it is set up, though.

 

[NHBandit]

I have never seen an articulated fork before.

You're right. I didn't notice that it hinges in the middle. Not a clutch fork.

 

[Depths Of History]

Looks like an antique tractor clutch fork.

You think so?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Do a search on eBay for "tractor clutch fork" and you will see a lot of items that look similar to your find. They don't have the jointed area, but the horseshoe part looks the same to me.

 

[creskol]

Are clutch forks made out of brass?

 

[Depths Of History]

I am not sure

 

[nhbenz]

Modern ones are mostly stamped (heavy) steel. But having a bronze, rather than brass, contact points isn't uncommon. But are many other industrial applications (non automotive) for what's essentially a shift fork, whether moving a "dog" gear or bearing. Essentially we all agree though that it moves something on a spinning shaft. I've seen them on lathes, drill presses, etc. where you want to shift gear ratio for different purposes. An my old snow blower has one to engage the auger.

 

[Depths Of History]

Modern ones are mostly stamped (heavy) steel. But having a bronze, rather than brass, contact points isn't uncommon. But are many other industrial applications (non automotive) for what's essentially a shift fork, whether moving a "dog" gear or bearing. Essentially we all agree though that it moves something on a spinning shaft. I've seen them on lathes, drill presses, etc. where you want to shift gear ratio for different purposes. An my old snow blower has one to engage the auger.

Maybe off of a heavy machine

 

[nhbenz]

There nearly HAS to be markings on it. Companies that would have made this would be making many similar items, and would need to be able to be sure they had the right one (so at least a part number). And they would want to take pride in their quality manufacturing (so a likely makers mark). I can understand being hesitant to clean immediately, but I don't think you'll lose any value by removing some of the beautiful patina it has built up. We can rule any direct Civil War application.