1830 Marked Cast Iron Plate

[copperpile]

Found this near an old railroad in Northern Michigan. I'm pretty sure it's cast iron. Is the 1830 mark a date? Not sure. There was some copper mining in the area that began in the mid 1840s. There is a mine shaft not far as the crow flies that was sunk in the 1860s. I'm quite curious about the piece and hope to get some good info from y'all.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[copperpile]

 

[copperpile]

 

[HutSiteDigger]

You sure that is not a 8 instead of a 3? Lot of things got like Pat. (year) and stuff on it. Have no clue on it but hard too make it out.

 

[woodstock]

Looks like a Railroad tie-in piece from some sort of Railroad equipment . And this ins't the whole piece either . There should be some kind of Axle that went through the rounded part . This might be a piece used when or for switching tracks and it appears to be 1880 from what I see and not 1830 ... IMHO . Woodtock

 

[copperpile]

When I first found it I thought it was 1880. When i got home and knocked some dirt off and cleaned it a bit I found it to be 1830. I'll try to get a better pic to show of the mark.

 

[copperpile]

 

[HutSiteDigger]

She is really worn out on that number... It is possible for 3,8 or even 0... Anyhow I think it does resemble a date perhaps.. Hope someone can ID it for u.

 

[creskol]

There is a cover plate on old engines, similar to a cover plate for bearings, but I am having a senior moment and can't remember the exact term for it, which makes it hard to research. Perhaps it will come to me tonight in a dream, or perhaps somebody will post it before then. Darn I hate my feeble brain sometimes!

Journal box is the term I was looking for .. Not sure that's what it is, but I will check in the morning! Until then .. Good luck on an ID

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I agree with the railroad part but I think it is part of the coupling when they hook up to other cars I have been around trains when loading my truck and it looks similar to parts I have seen in that area of the train.Not a positive I.D. just my observation.

 

[copperpile]

Thanks much for the input. I guess I kept it because of the "date". Kinda looks nostalgic with the "date". If nothing else it will look neat sitting on the shelf in the garage.