Can any old timer out there identify this?

[Charlie E]

I found this while metal detecting and while I know this is the wrong site for this question I thought someone with more "experience" than me might recognize it. I found it in an old neighborhood built for the employees of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in the 1930's. The numbers are all pretty clear in the picture but the numbers on the left that resemble a date are 1/04/0 with nothing following the 0 so I doubt it is in fact a date. I may never identify it but it's an intriguing little artifact. 

[Jim McDonald]

This should be interesting!

[dgman]

I showed it to my 89 year old Mother in-law. She had no idea. What is it made of? I don’t know what it is, but my first instinct is a wheel weight.

[teachnlearn]

Its a thing a ma bob, whacha ma call it. Its used in various instances when needed and buried when not needed. Going to be interesting if someone has any idea. RJF

[Karl S]

I don't know what it is , but it appears to be fairly new from the paint that is covering it .I don't see any signs of rust like it has been underground for any period of time.

[Charlie E]

It is either mad

3 hours ago, dgman said:

I showed it to my 89 year old Mother in-law. She had no idea. What is it made of? I don’t know what it is, but my first instinct is a wheel weight.

 

1 hour ago, Karl S said:

I don't know what it is , but it appears to be fairly new from the paint that is covering it .I don't see any signs of rust like it has been underground for any period of time.

It is either made of brass or copper which is why it's not rusted. It isn't painted, just very tarnished. It honestly reminded me of a wheel weight also but I don't think that's what it is. 

[Karl S]

Hit it with a file and you can see what metal it is if you are curious.

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by Karl S

[Roberta Moreton]

 My husband thinks it is a gauge of some sort. 

[jerry1939]

Having spent most of my life farming, I would guess that it is a modified chain link.  Some were of different shapes, depending on what it was to be used for.  The "ears" on the top of your photo could indicate that the chain operated in a flat bottom trough and conveyed a product.

If you find enough of them, you could make yourself a conveyor to carry sawdust away from your scroll saw.  

jerry

[Gordster]

I'm thinking it might be an old time door knocker..

[Charlie E]

1 hour ago, jerry1939 said:

Having spent most of my life farming, I would guess that it is a modified chain link.  Some were of different shapes, depending on what it was to be used for.  The "ears" on the top of your photo could indicate that the chain operated in a flat bottom trough and conveyed a product.

If you find enough of them, you could make yourself a conveyor to carry sawdust away from your scroll saw.  

jerry

I like that guess! I looked at it for a while though and there isn't any way one end would connect to the other. Plus I doubt it would have all the numbers and letters on it. 

[John B]

I would of thrown my hat in the ring with Wheel weight, until you mentioned the material. Not a clue now.

 

[fredfret]

I agree with Jerry conveyor link. Material is probably cast iron. I have several parts that have been sitting in the shed for 20 years look about the same.

[Charlie E]

29 minutes ago, fredfret said:

I agree with Jerry conveyor link. Material is probably cast iron. I have several parts that have been sitting in the shed for 20 years look about the same.

It's actually made of brass or copper.

[nickp]

I'm guessing one half of a clamp...nut/bolt through the middle...the other half is still in the ground...

 

[teachnlearn]

23 minutes ago, nickp said:

I'm guessing one half of a clamp...nut/bolt through the middle...the other half is still in the ground...

 

The next logical question. What were they clamping in the ground and should somebody be digging to re clamp whats in the ground? RJF

[nickp]

20 minutes ago, teachnlearn said:

The next logical question. What were they clamping in the ground and should somebody be digging to re clamp whats in the ground? RJF

 

"Ground" wire...? 

[nickp]

The 1/0 and 4/0 might be the wire size to be clamped...

 

Now, if I'm right, there'll be no calling me an "old timer" ...

[Charlie E]

1 hour ago, nickp said:

I'm guessing one half of a clamp...nut/bolt through the middle...the other half is still in the ground...

 

Good guess! Isn't this fun? If I ever find out for sure I should give a prize.  

[merlin]

Charlie mate Kiwi here...My best guess is one half of an earth wire clamp, the ones here in NZ many years back were Brass (never painted).

That one looks very similar.

 

Have a nice day.... Merlin

[spirithorse]

I think @nickp might be on the right track. Something similar to these images but, these are recent, not as old as the one you found.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=kQdT3xMd&id=074F8DF38AB66D1DD9C6751F9AB01420C2CB0AF9&thid=OIP.kQdT3xMd51HWH3VAWoX3SAHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fi.ebayimg.com%2fimages%2fi%2f131864299653-0-1%2fs-l1000.jpg&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=electrical+wire+clamps+fasteners&simid=608015151027388713&ck=E5A841374BA1BD88278155A633A26282&selectedIndex=134&ajaxhist=0

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=l6POWMDu&id=FBE640FAAC39E7802D598ED20C5EC2380AE0DD48&thid=OIP.l6POWMDuiiacmc3qY0iL9QHaFj&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fi.ebayimg.com%2fimages%2fi%2f230981978219-0-1%2fs-l1000.jpg&exph=450&expw=600&q=grounding+clamps+for+cable&simid=607988221480731948&ck=0B211CCB09F185D456C5DCADF4A09560&selectedIndex=195&ajaxhist=0

 

God Bless! Spirithorse

[Dan]

I agree with Nick. Here's something similar. 

[newfie]

I copied your pics to FB to see if anyone there knew

  Here's the best answer I got on there.

Wire clamp I think, gauge is stamped on left hand side. Missing bolt, washer, and nut that goes the centre. 80% certain lol

[kywoodmaster]

I am on board with the wire splice theory. I have seen some similar to this in old applications back in the day. The #;s are the size range of wire that it will work on. The copper /brass leads to the conduction of electricity theory and would not last long in a belt chain situation.

[Charlie E]

Thanks so much everyone. I've got it posted on a metal detector site for identifying things and an electrician there is agreeing with the electrical clamp idea. I'm thinking that is right, though I'll admit I had no idea. I hope I can take it to Alabama Power and get an idea of how old it is.