Another Whatsit?

[JakePhelps]

This was also found in a victorian dump site. it is similar to the other brass peice of hardware with leather and brass studs in it. It looks to be something to do with water or steam or some liquid...

 

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[lonewolfe]

A thermostat of some sort? -Possibly automotive? -Ben

that or a pressure release of sorts

 

[dano91]

I do believe I saw something like that when I was looking at an antique gas street light

 

[ozzysdad]

Look's like part of an old Pitcher type water pump?

 

[Desertdigger]

Ozzie's Dad is right on with this one! It is a valve that fits in the base of a hand well pump and kept the water from draining back once you had the pump primed. If it was leaky you had to work much harder to pump water.