What is this? Ive found several of these over the years.

[Breezie]

What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Hey Gang, I've found several of these, and don't have a clue. Does anyone know what it is? Thanks, Breezie

 

[Henry2]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Were you near any railroads, I see mountains of these things next to railroad tracks quite often, not sure of there use though.

 

[Breezie]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Were you near any railroads, I see mountains of these things next to railroad tracks quite often, not sure of there use though.

Hello Henry, Thank you for your reply. Yes, I did find it close to a railroad; I would say maybe 50 yrds. from the old tracks. I've attached a pic of what it would look like if it were not broken. I don't know if it would have been a complete circle/rectangle or had a small opening like the 2nd pic. On the ones you've seen, were they a complete rectangle or did they have an opening? Breezie

 

[lostcauses]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Appears to be a steel shim.

 

[Rmeav8r]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

I believe that is a shim used in railroad tie plates. Various sizes and types were used under the tie plates over the years.

 

[Breezie]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Appears to be a steel shim.

I believe that is a shim used in railroad tie plates. Various sizes and types were used under the tie plates over the years.

DFXScout & LostCauses, Thank you for the ID! Were these shims a rectangle so it looks like an "O" or was there an opening so it looks like a "C"?

 

[lostcauses]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

Appears to be a steel shim.

I believe that is a shim used in railroad tie plates. Various sizes and types were used under the tie plates over the years.

DFXScout & LostCauses, Thank you for the ID! Were these shims a rectangle so it looks like an "O" or was there an opening so it looks like a "C"?

Depending on the needs either one..

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

How thick is it? does it appear to have broken off of something? I ask because I've seen similar things that were used to hold a chain. you'd put a link through the slot and it would keep the chain from coming loose from whatever it was attached to.

 

[Breezie]

Re: What is this? I've found several of these over the years.

How thick is it? does it appear to have broken off of something? I ask because I've seen similar things that were used to hold a chain. you'd put a link through the slot and it would keep the chain from coming loose from whatever it was attached to.

Ken, it is not very thick; about 1/4 of an inch. Thank you for your reply, Breezie