✅ SOLVED Brass colonial era ring

[DownNDirty]

The sides are flat; this was found at a site that was active fron the late 1600s through about 1780.

 

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[tamrock]

Looks like a brass washer. Modern item used for sealing a hydraulic or pneumatic fitting.IMO

 

[CTwoods]

colonial era antique car copper spark plug gasket. lol

I dug one a few weeks ago here, so I compared it next to a quarter, looks identical size.

hole should measure a slight tick under 7/8". Outside should measure 1-1/8"+

That size for 7/8" thread plugs were from the 1920s-1940s more or less, with some Fords still using 7/8" later as well.

 

[tamrock]

This is even a better ID then the one I suggested. Spark plug seal looks good to me.

 

[CTwoods]

This is even a better ID then the one I suggested. Spark plug seal looks good to me.

To positively ID as a spark plug gasket; clean it well, then use a magnifier in sunlight, to look for a tiny seam running all the way around. These were made from thin copper with an asbestos core. The seam is not soldered, just crimped.

Because they have asbestos core, they feel lighter than a solid copper ring.

but they sure do give that unexpected "GOT me a big coppah" signal on an old wooded site.

 

[DownNDirty]

This was found at a site with almost no modern trash, at the same depth as many 18th century relics. It's too large to be a spark plug gasket, and it is not perfectly round as a modern-made item would be so it is definitely period.

 

[DownNDirty]

...

 

[CTwoods]

This was found at a site with almost no modern trash, at the same depth as many 18th century relics. It's too large to be a spark plug gasket, and it is not perfectly round as a modern-made item would be so it is definitely period.

Sometimes an ID can be aided by knowing what it is NOT.

Only because I've worked on antique cars my whole life, is that I can assure you that it is not "too small for a spark plug". Here is a description from an ebay ad, and note the plug thread size as 7/8, exactly as I mentioned before.

... I also provided measurements, and how to positively ID it as a gasket, and if it fails those things, then it is not a gasket.

Plug gaskets were reused and retightened countless times do to poor quality early gas and oil fouling, so they are sometimes not perfectly round. The one I am posting here is fairly round but the width of the flats is thinner on one area. Also tried to show the seam on the flat side, but some have the seam line almost into the hole.

.. > NOTE: If it is absolutely, and positively made of brass, not copper, it is definitely not a plug gasket

This is brand new Auto-Lite Spark Plug Part# TT8

7/8" - 18 SAE thread ~ 5/8" reach ~ 15/16" Hex

Cross References:
•Bosch Z45T4
•Champion W14 C16C
•NGK F23
•Stitt 7D 7H 7L
•A.C.- G53, 17, 18

Cross references have not been verified - please verify correct fit.




APPLICATION




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[Silver Searcher]

I did a whatsit post a few years back about bronze rings like this that are found in the UK, they have many functions but one of them was a use for the production of the Dorset Button 1622-1850. If I remember correctly they also appeared on Military clothing of the period.

SS

 

[DownNDirty]

CTWoods-Well I measured it and the measurements are spot on-I believe you are absolutely correct with the id. Thanks for taking the time to post this information-evidently I was barking up the wrong tree. Solved!

 

[stefen]

Just because a site was inhabited during colonial times does not make the finds 'Colonial'.

Likewise, finding an item where there was a CW battle or camp doesn't make the finding a CW related find.

In addition, even if the site was not farmed doesn't preclude it from a vehicle being repaired onsite (or deposited).

I agree, as does DownNDirty that the identification was dead-on...

Fortunately there are many farm-grown people on TN who are familiar with parts and pieces of farm equipment...that goes for mechanical minded people as well.

Could be from most any early to mid-19th century vehicle, including tractors and other motorized farm equipment such as a hit-n-miss one-lunger, used on many farms predating electrical power.

 

[CTwoods]

CTWoods-Well I measured it and the measurements are spot on-I believe you are absolutely correct with the id. Thanks for taking the time to post this information-evidently I was barking up the wrong tree. Solved!

I kinda quit the hobby 15 years ago, but in the last 15 months back in, I have been finding some very old sites right in my town that I moved into 8 years ago.

I am now getting SO interested in archeology because when I research some early finds, I keep reading how the "pro's" date things, and how they discount certain finds.

They really got into that discussion on a 1960 dig at colonial Williamsburg.. They were in a fuss about some gardeners in the 1940s had dug up and replanted a rose garden at this historical home. The fascinating part to me, was that by doing "trench" digs where they "shave" the sides of the trench to see colors of soil, they determined that the original soil level in that colony was at a depth of "1 foot 6 inches"! Then they calculated how far the gardeners had dug, on being able to trust what they dug up.

at 64, I would never be accepted at the local college where they do archeology study majors. Bummed by that, so I will learn what I can from net searches.

My State and town, does not have quite the age of the early sites that yours and some others have, but I am right now finding things circa 1700+- in my town.

 

[DownNDirty]

I know what you mean-if I could do it over again I probably would have made a career as an archeologist. I enjoy researching the relics I find and learning the history behind the sites.

 

[Tony in SC]

Some of the old sparkplugs were 1/2" and 3/4" pipe threads which were much larger than todays plugs. Tony

This was found at a site with almost no modern trash, at the same depth as many 18th century relics. It's too large to be a spark plug gasket, and it is not perfectly round as a modern-made item would be so it is definitely period.

 

[sutphin]

I ALMOST AGREED TO RING . I KNOW SOLIDERS USED THIMBLES FROM TIME TO TIME AND CUT THE BOTTOMS OFF AND MADE RINGS .