Whats this? Bronze wheel thing?

[1869er]

What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I found this item at an old site a while ago, and I forgot about it till recently. I've never been able to figure out what this thing is? It's sort of a primitive casting and appears to be bronze, however it could be brass. My first guess is that it's some sort of incense holder... However I found it at a 1913 sawmill area site... So, not even sure they had modern incense type holders around at that time. I don't think it was a lid, since there's no lip on the bottom edge like a pan top would have. Maybe a wheel from an old toy? Anyone have any ideas, positive ID?

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

It reminds me the old cast iron cars I had as a kid.
Similar to this one...

 

[vhs07]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Looks like a base for something. Although probably too small, it reminds me of an old receipt holder.
The ones I'm thinking of had a pointed thin rod coming out of the base and you would just poke it through
your receipts of whatever paperwork you wanted to save. Quite common up to the early seventies.
Similar to the one here:

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

This is the closest one I could find to yours.

 

[IronSpike]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Looks like a base for something. Although probably too small, it reminds me of an old receipt holder.
The ones I'm thinking of had a pointed thin rod coming out of the base and you would just poke it through
your receipts of whatever paperwork you wanted to save. Quite common up to the early seventies.
Similar to the one here:

I think you got it vhs07

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Agree, vhs07 nailed it. Each base is approx. 2" diameter. The center one looks really close to yours...

 

[Gunrunner61]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Gotta go with vhs07.........

 

[1869er]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Good call VHS07... You are probably correct.
I was thinking about it wether this was a receipt holder or a toy car wheel, and that dip in where the hole is on the backside is a giveaway to what this was. I believe that dip is necessary so the receipt holder will lie flat on the table, especially with the needle in place. Also, I checked how it sits when this item is laying flat... There's no play with it rocking on the table... It seems meant to sit this way.

 

[creskol]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Is the rim completely smooth all the way around?

 

[1869er]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Here's a picture of the edge... No, not really smooth all the way around, however not sharp either, kind of like a mediocre casting job. However, there are some cut lines going parallel to the way the hole is aligned. Looks like the edges were possibly hit with a grinder of some sort, or it was maybe cut pressed? Just a thought.

 

[IronSpike]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I think it's a base. May be incent holder rahter than receipt holder

 

[Tigger]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Just a wild guess, judging from the size - could it be the base for an old drawer pull?
Similar to http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-2787876/stock-photo-drawer-pull-on-antique-chest.html

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

The image below should be "close" to actual size based on the fingers. So far the receipt holder/spike/base looks best. However, I'm still wondering because I like Tigger's idea, too.

SBB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I changed my mind about Tigger's drawer handle pull. I just took a quick look at some and about 99% of them are light-weight and hollowed out on the back. The item in question is "solid." So my current vote is the heavy base to a ... "Receipt Spike"

SBB

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

While looking for something totally different I came across these...
I think Green Check?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I think its solved.

 

[1869er]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Yea sure looks like it... Thanks Sodabottlebob, that is almost about the right size it really is... maybe 1/4 on an inch smaller even...

 

[creskol]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

If SODABOTTLEBOB is correct in his resizing image, which I believe he is, I can't see it being a base to spike as shown. I dug a portion of one very similar at a colonial house site, and I think it is some sort of furniture or maybe urn/vase decoration of some sort.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I may research this myself, but in the meantime will ask ...

Were those receipt spikes "welded" in place or just "stuck" into the little hole?



SBB

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

When I researched it I found many types.
Some Older types had a removable spike to pull the receipts off with a welded piece on the bottom that might fit the one in question.
Some spikes were threaded and were screwed in from the top.
Some welded or glued in place.
Some were screwed in with a screw from the underside.
More modern types are glued.
I still agree with Green Check!