✅ SOLVED Brass sphere

[PullTabPete]

I found this brass(I think) sphere by an old train depot. The item weighs over 6 lbs and has about a 4 inch diameter. There are 3 eyelets on the top where I assume the it was attached to something probably by a small chain. It also has a seem around the center.


I have no idea what this may have been, it was only a couple of inches down in a grassy field.

Thanks,

Pete

 

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[creskol]

6 pounds .. must be filled with something?

 

[Hangtown]

Toilet float/ weight?

 

[stevieyoung1]

Kind of looks like an old road flare

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Its size-to-weight ratio tells that it is a thin brass or copper jacket crimped over an iron ball. I've seen them before but I have not yet found solid evidence about their specific purpose. They seem to be some sort of counterweight.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

TheCannonballGuy is right, it is a counterweight. It's from an old hanging ceiling light. I couldn't find an exact match online, but I found one very close to yours. I've seen similar ones in old homes down here.

 

[yaxthri]

TheCannonballGuy is right, it is a counterweight. It's from an old hanging ceiling light.

That's exactly what it is if you ask me!

 

[creskol]

TheCannonballGuy is right, it is a counterweight. It's from an old hanging ceiling light. I couldn't find an exact match online, but I found one very close to yours. I've seen similar ones in old homes down here.

View attachment 727192

Just for curiosity sakes, what is it "counter weighting" on a ceiling fixture? Seems odd to me that one would need or want a 6 pound ball suspended overhead by such tiny little chains. Not disputing that that's what it is, by I am trying to understand its purpose.

 

[mfitzs70]

I'ts used so they could pull the light source down closer and the weight would assist to retract it when needed.

 

[creskol]

I'ts used so they could pull the light source down closer and the weight would assist to retract it when needed.

Thanks!

 

[PullTabPete]

Thanks for the input guys. It is amazing the stuff you guys can ID. I am marking this as solved. I also agree that I wouldn't be too thrilled having that thing suspended above you knowing how flimsy the eyelets are that are holding it up.

NOLA_Ken your picture looks like a 100% match to me. Thanks for the information.

My wife is relieved that I didn't dig up and bring in the house an old bomb!

Pete

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I'ts used so they could pull the light source down closer and the weight would assist to retract it when needed.

Exactly, also these were originally used for oil lamps which you needed to pull down to light.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Heck of an ID.