Brass found in park

[hunterV3]

I found this in a park that I believe is not that old. It is cast brass (or bronze?). The square measures exactly 5/8" across. Pictures are before cleaning and after cleaning in a tumbler. It was near the top of a sledding hill. Thought it might be some kind of specialty tool for a snowboard or skis.

 

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[Likely Guy]

Looks like a bottle opener. See the slant on the 'business end' of the opening? It could fit under the lip of the bottlecap. Give it a try.

 

[Tred]

Looks like an part of an old lever or switch. Is the background Bounty or Brawny?

Awesome Find!!!!!!

HH

 

[hunterV3]

It is too small for a bottle opener. I'm drinking Val-Dieu Belgian Ale tonight and tried it but it won't fit. I'm thinking along those lines too Tred!!!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

They dont cast brass as much anymore as they did back in the day. This is a tough one. Im assuming both sides exactly the same and no markings.

 

[Monty]

Roller skate key? Monty

 

[ipsilateral]

I've found these in New Orleans. I think these may be used to bolt down ground wires??

Nate

 

[bradyboy]

a stop / lock washer for a square shaft to stop at a designated position
Like for a gate valve

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I've found these in New Orleans. I think these may be used to bolt down ground wires??

Nate

do you have a pic?

 

[hunterV3]

Bigcypress, there are no markings on it. On the inside of the square on all four sides there is very slight wear where the rough casting surface is smooth. There are no other wear spots on it. Ipsilateral, do you have any pics, never saw anything for grounding/bonding look like this. Thanks.

 

[lostcauses]

part of a steam heating control valve. A guess.
It does remind me of such.

 

[ipsilateral]

No, BigCypress, I don't..I usually just throw this kind of stuff away! lol.

 

[hunterV3]

I know its an old post, but every time I see this thing it bugs me. I found out some info on the area where this was found and thought maybe there would be some new ideas. It was farmland until the late 60"s, a gravel pit for about 10 years, then made into a park in the early 90's. Where I found it appears to be the original farmland grade because it was near the road. Thanks.

 

[ivan salis]

water valve shut on / off key -- many places had square headed water valves -- you had to have a key to open the valve this prevented hobo types from turning on the water and leaving it running

with regular water faucet type handles homeless folks looking for a drink might turn on the water and leave it flowing --with a squarehead screw down type its hard for them to open it up -- the square head stuck up and the key went over it and was used to unwind it till the water flowed --to shut it off it was cranked down again ---being it was once a park * it might hav been the grounds keepers "water tap key"

 

[High Plains Digger]

Looks like it could be some sort of shut off handle, but the mano a mano end is so short, it doesn't allow much leverage. Do you think it is enough? Especially for a valve that large? Or is there supposed to be a handle of some sort on it?

 

[hunterV3]

I'm definitely thinking handle to something, but at only 2 1/4" long leverage would be an issue. Also with the square being 5/8" it would be big for a tamper proof water valve. @ ivan, it has only been a park for less than 20 years and being cast brass, I think it is older than that.
Thanks.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

I'm thinking it "might" be a ...

~ Tool for adjusting "gas" headlamps on circa 1910s automobiles ~

[ Model T Type ]

This feature was very common on old bottle openers from the 1910s. The one shown here is slightly larger than actual size. Notice the square hole - which is the part for adjusting those old headlamps. Search around and you may find the one that exactly matches the item in question.

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NOTE: Many older bottle openers have a small square hole called a "Prest-O-Lite Key".
It was used to turn the valve on automobile gas headlights from about 1910 through the early 1930's before electric headlights were widely used.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

~ To assist in additional research ~

"Prest-O-Lite" was one of the first succesful maker of headlights for motorcycles. The Prest-O-Lite was a carbide lamp design, burning a special gas to produce the light. The company was so successful that the owners built the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Prest-O-Lite factory was located across 16th Street from the Speedway. This is a 1917 Prest-O-Lite ad from Motorcycle Illustrated.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks like it could be some sort of shut off handle, but the mano a mano end is so short, it doesn't allow much leverage. Do you think it is enough? Especially for a valve that large? Or is there supposed to be a handle of some sort on it?

I agree you cant shut off a water hydrant or water valve with that. No leverage. It kinda looks like a shim.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Although not marked as such, this is believed to be a true "Prest-O-Lite" key. The 5/8" measurement looks about right. The small circular part on the item in question "might" be for fingertip application.

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