✅ SOLVED An old surveyor’s plumb bob?

[dagwood67]

I thought this might be an old surveyor’s plumb bob? Found in a farm field with a history going back to the late 1790’s in Western New York State
I think it it made of bronze - maybe brass...

 

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[Back-of-the-boat]

can you show a picture of the bottom side?

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like part of a cut off valve of sorts?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Every plum bob I have ever seen comes to a fine point.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I was thinking a gas valve shutoff, it would be brass so no sparks.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

not a plum bob - not sure what else,,,,,

 

[1637]

more pictures please,is it one piece or two?
brad

 

[DCMatt]

Clock weight.

 

[Duckshot]

Every plum bob I have ever seen comes to a fine point?

Most do, but not all. When plumbing concrete wall forms we used to use almost anything dense and heavy for a bob. You don't need a point on the floor to plumb a wall, just a straight string line between top and bottom.

Also, when a dude leapt off the Hoan Bridge construction we used a five gallon bucket full of rocks, strung it down to the water from where we thought the dude jumped, and it gave the divers a hint as to the location of the body.

The o.p. does not look like a plumb bob. DCMatt's suggestion is very plausible. If it is a clock weight there might have been a top with a hole for a finish trim over the square top. You might want to check around were you found the peice for a second piece.

 

[cudamark]

Most do, but not all. When plumbing concrete wall forms we used to use almost anything dense and heavy for a bob. You don't need a point on the floor to plumb a wall, just a straight string line between top and bottom.

Also, when a dude leapt off the Hoan Bridge construction we used a five gallon bucket full of rocks, strung it down to the water from where we thought the dude jumped, and it gave the divers a hint as to the location of the body.

The o.p. does not look like a plumb bob. DCMatt's suggestion is very plausible. If it is a clock weight there might have been a top with a hole for a finish trim over the square top. You might want to check around were you found the peice for a second piece.

I think he's trying to find out what it was originally, not what it may have been repurposed for. In your example, we wouldn't say your bucket is a plumb bob, even though that may be one of the ways it was used. It is a bucket, plain and simple.

 

[bradyboy]

looks tapered
can wee see the bottom
pretty sure its the business end of a brass shut off valve, tapered for seating sealing purposes
groove is for o ring, designed to rotate to turn when the square nut is rotated half turn
this broken part is the result of a seized shut off valve
brass is used in both water and gas, it wont rust or corrode
brady

 

[bradyboy]

looks tapered<br>can wee see the bottom<br>pretty sure its the business end of a brass shut off valve, tapered for seating sealing purposes<br>groove is for o ring, designed to  rotate to turn when the square nut is rotated half turn<br>this broken part is the result of a seized shut off valve<br>brass is used in both water and gas, it wont rust or corrode<br>brady

 

[dagwood67]

Thanks all! Great info! The bottom is actually broken off so this is just the top half
It is tapered
The shut off valve makes the most sense!
Thanks!

 

[Mudflap]

Got to agree with Tony. Looks like a pit mounted gas or water shut off valve. Does the bottom look twisted off?

 

[Plug N Play]

Remember hopping over fire hydrants as a kid ?
The hydrant companies would use things of this nature both as an incentive to excel and a reminder should you forget.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Remember hopping over fire hydrants as a kid ?
The hydrant companies would use things of this nature both as an incentive to excel and a reminder should you forget.

View attachment 1863212

I was just looking at fire hydrants and it does look like the nut from inside the weather cap.

 

[dagwood67]

Yeah! Haha! Wow! Looks very similar!
Thanks!