Here's a nice cast iron or steel piece, The ring is about 2 1/2" diameter and the overall height about 4 inches. I can't imagine what it might be used for. Suggestions welcomed...
Update! on the back, there is a patent date Feb 18 1892.
My first thought is something like an oil filter wrench: slide it over a cylindrical part, squeeze and twist off. Since the degree of squeeze is limited, presumably the part would be protected for reuse.
I think a lot of these light weight cast items are "white iron" not grey iron. Not as brittle, but will still break. fancy wood stoves, door latches and crappy tools are made of it. If you break it it has a shiny white color and is difficult to file.
My first thought is something like an oil filter wrench: slide it over a cylindrical part, squeeze and twist off. Since the degree of squeeze is limited, presumably the part would be protected for reuse.
ReplyDeleterdguy
The inside surface is smooth- i looked at another picture I took, patented Feb 18 1892. How many patents could have been made on that day? :-)
ReplyDeleteI like RD's notion. Was going to guess: nose ring for bull or boar. But it's a bit fancy to be that.
ReplyDeleteToo fancy for a bull perhaps, but a boar would wear it well. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought "jar opener" and somebody on eBay agrees but I'll have to dig deeper for a little more evidence:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/362402462363
Could it be for picking up beakers or test tube type application?
ReplyDeletemason jar opener and closer for canning?
ReplyDeleteI say mason jar opener as it would seem to only fit a single size lid. Canning jars are uniform size.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to be a "Jar Cap Spanner" (patent 468804) and the "18" is likely a "16:"
ReplyDeletehttps://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/d4/3f/2c/d568a71cd2bffa/US468804.pdf
And I should have added, "totally worth 3 bucks." Good find.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are amazing, thanks for the all the work! So my guess is that would not be cast iron, too brittle. Once again a simple and beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of these light weight cast items are "white iron" not grey iron. Not as brittle, but will still break. fancy wood stoves, door latches and crappy tools are made of it. If you break it it has a shiny white color and is difficult to file.
ReplyDeleteThanks, something else I didn't know.
ReplyDelete