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?

 

[creskol]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

On the phot of thespikes and their bases, what is on the top of the spike? Is it a can?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

On the phot of thespikes and their bases, what is on the top of the spike? Is it a can?

looks like corks.

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Great ID BigCy...Yup those are corks.
The thread I was reading said they put the corks on them in the store to keep people from getting poked..

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I found this picture the other day. The receipt spike on the left has a little fin attached to it that (I guess) was intended to keep the receipts from coming off so easily.

SBB

 

[1869er]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

Yea, actually I kind of thought this was a little small to be a receipt holder. The resized image is almost the right size... Actually it's even a tiny bit smaller...

The exact size is 1 and 3/8ths inches across.

Anyone know if they made really small ones? I couldn't see this being to practical if the needle was any longer than about 3 or 4 inches tall.

 

[chrisplay2004]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I have looked at way too many of these.
Here is my only guess...

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

1869er ~

Umm, ah ... is the item "threaded" inside? But surely you already checked that with a magnifying glass, right? (Lol)

SBB

 

[1869er]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

This one is definitely not threaded. The hole looks like it was just drilled through.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What's this? Bronze wheel thing?

I dont remember if they came in small sizes. I didnt even realized they stopped using them.