Brass connector(?) for what?

[invent4hir]

All, my first find on my first time detecting this season is the brass piece. It was found at a park between where a farmhouse once stood and a springhouse. The home and outbuildings were demolished to make way for a subdivision. The farmhouse was preceded by a log cabin built in 1801.

In its present (bent) shape it measures about 2 7/8” L x 1 3/4” W x 1” H. With threads on the rim it was circular at one time with maybe a 2” outer diameter (average of 2 3/8” & 1 5/8”). The pair of small holes in the first picture are also threaded. My guess is that these were mounting holes — but to what I don’t know. Given where it was found, it could be from the home, a car, or a farm implement. Any IDs would be appreciated.

 

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[Radon]

My first impression is that it is some kind of tractor part, maybe for the fuel bowl?

 

[Tony in SC]

I think it's part of a packing gland from an old plunger type pump. PS, Somewhat like the bulldog pump that Charlie posted in the Wagon Hitch thread?

 

[invent4hir]

My first impression is that it is some kind of tractor part, maybe for the fuel bowl?

Radon, thanks, I'll look into that.

 

[invent4hir]

I think it's part of a packing gland from an old plunger type pump. PS, Somewhat like the bulldog pump that Charlie posted in the Wagon Hitch thread?

Tony, thanks I'll take a look at that thread.

 

[cudamark]

Looks like a fitting that would go into a barrel or drum. What would attach to it is anyone's guess. Doesn't look like it would seal very good on the upper side where the threaded holes are.

 

[invent4hir]

Looks like a fitting that would go into a barrel or drum. What would attach to it is anyone's guess. Doesn't look like it would seal very good on the upper side where the threaded holes are.

cudamark, noting that it won't seal well is a good observation - and one that I overlooked. Thanks!

 

[fyrffytr1]

It may be the base to a 55 gallon drum pump.

 

[Tony in SC]

What I was thinking was the ring that compresses the seal packing, not the actual seal itself. It does look like a barrel bung adapter of sorts?

 

[cudamark]

I agree, it could be a packing nut. Maybe for a hydraulic cylinder or pump of some type?

 

[invent4hir]

All, thanks so far for the suggestions. I've been googling them and looking at pictures - but haven't found something similar yet. Will keep looking though.

As I hold the piece like in photo #3, I'm wondering if it is mounted to something using 2 screws to secure it. The flanges would help prevent it from turning, when a hose or something is screwed to the threaded rim. The gap between the threaded rim and flanges is still a bit baffling, as it would prevent a seal.

 

[Gambrinus]

All, thanks so far for the suggestions. I've been googling them and looking at pictures - but haven't found something similar yet. Will keep looking though.

As I hold the piece like in photo #3, I'm wondering if it is mounted to something using 2 screws to secure it. The flanges would help prevent it from turning, when a hose or something is screwed to the threaded rim. The gap between the threaded rim and flanges is still a bit baffling, as it would prevent a seal.

Are the two holes threaded? Also does the inside diameter have a taper? If it is tapered it could be a flare type of fitting that is held together by two screws and probably didn't have to make a tight seal, something just enough to keep liquid from sloshing out.

I like the seal packing idea except that your part looks like it has tapered threads and I don't think that would work because you need to keep screwing the part in until it tightens against the packing. So that brings up another question, are those threads tapered?

Yes I am coming up with these ideas as I go along and I really don't know why I care about a part that I am sure will never be used again, but it sure is fun trying to figure these things out.

 

[invent4hir]

Are the two holes threaded? Also does the inside diameter have a taper? If it is tapered it could be a flare type of fitting that is held together by two screws and probably didn't have to make a tight seal, something just enough to keep liquid from sloshing out.

I like the seal packing idea except that your part looks like it has tapered threads and I don't think that would work because you need to keep screwing the part in until it tightens against the packing. So that brings up another question, are those threads tapered?

Yes I am coming up with these ideas as I go along and I really don't know why I care about a part that I am sure will never be used again, but it sure is fun trying to figure these things out.

Gambrinus, thanks for chiming in. I held/stared at the find for awhile last evening hoping for some inspiration - never came. Sometimes when I put something aside for a few days, a new thought will come into my head. If I wasn't offering to donate the find to the local history society, I wouldn't have spent this much time thinking about its ID. But if they choose to keep it, knowing the ID and approximate age is required. In the end this may just be a stumper - that happens sometime in this hobby. On to your questions:

1. Are the two holes threaded? Yes
2. Also does the inside diameter have a taper? Yes, at the top - except for where the screw posts are.
3. Are those threads tapered? No

 

[invent4hir]

Are the two holes threaded? Also does the inside diameter have a taper? If it is tapered it could be a flare type of fitting that is held together by two screws and probably didn't have to make a tight seal, something just enough to keep liquid from sloshing out.

I like the seal packing idea except that your part looks like it has tapered threads and I don't think that would work because you need to keep screwing the part in until it tightens against the packing. So that brings up another question, are those threads tapered?

Yes I am coming up with these ideas as I go along and I really don't know why I care about a part that I am sure will never be used again, but it sure is fun trying to figure these things out.

Gambrinus, thanks for chiming in. I held/stared at the find for awhile last evening hoping for some inspiration - never came. Sometimes when I put something aside for a few days, a new thought will come into my head. If I wasn't offering to donate the find to the local history society, I wouldn't have spent this much time thinking about its ID. But if they choose to keep it, knowing the ID and approximate age is required. In the end this may just be a stumper - that happens sometime in this hobby. On to your questions:

1. Are the two holes threaded? Yes
2. Also does the inside diameter have a taper? Yes, at the top - except for where the screw posts are.
3. Are those threads tapered? No

 

[HuntinDog]

I've tried but can't find an exact match.
But what it brings to my mind is a Running Board Mount for a fire nozzle on a firetruck.
Here's a couple of pics of modern ones to give an idea.

 

[Gambrinus]

Gambrinus, thanks for chiming in. I held/stared at the find for awhile last evening hoping for some inspiration - never came. Sometimes when I put something aside for a few days, a new thought will come into my head. If I wasn't offering to donate the find to the local history society, I wouldn't have spent this much time thinking about its ID. But if they choose to keep it, knowing the ID and approximate age is required. In the end this may just be a stumper - that happens sometime in this hobby. On to your questions:

1. Are the two holes threaded? Yes
2. Also does the inside diameter have a taper? Yes, at the top - except for where the screw posts are.
3. Are those threads tapered? No

invent4hir, when I made the comment about why would I care about your part was not meant to include you but I do see now why that is a comment I should have clarified or maybe not even have made. I am glad you care about it because as I said this is fun for me.

For answer #3 do you mean the large outside diameter threads are tapered? Those are what I meant.

 

[invent4hir]

invent4hir, when I made the comment about why would I care about your part was not meant to include you but I do see now why that is a comment I should have clarified or maybe not even have made. I am glad you care about it because as I said this is fun for me.

For answer #3 do you mean the large outside diameter threads are tapered? Those are what I meant.

Gambrinus, no problem and glad this is fun for you. For answer #3, no the outside threads aren't tapered. Thanks for your continued inputs.

 

[Gambrinus]

Gambrinus, no problem and glad this is fun for you. For answer #3, no the outside threads aren't tapered. Thanks for your continued inputs.

Thanks for the feedback. Now I am thinking that it could be for packing, I am going to see if if I can find anything more in that direction.