🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Cast Iron Buckle?

[IHC656]

Found in Michigan where church and school had been. 1911-1988.

 

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[robertk]

Could be a buckle. Could also be a knob -- the square hole in the middle seems like maybe would fit over a shaft to turn it? Seems a bit odd for either purpose, really. What does the back look like?

 

[ToddsPoint]

I would think if it’s cast iron it would be solid rust. Could it be silver??

 

[Blackfoot58]

Looks like a valve handle to fit over a square adjustment stem. With the ornate design, possibly for a radiator/boiler heat system.

 

[IHC656]

I would think if it’s cast iron it would be solid rust. Could it be silver??

I put against a wire wheel before I took the pictures. Front and back. Two small studs on the back.

 

[IHC656]

Could be a buckle. Could also be a knob -- the square hole in the middle seems like maybe would fit over a shaft to turn it? Seems a bit odd for either purpose, really. What does the back look like?

Back is the second photo. Left hand side are two upstickers similar to what a belt buckle would have if broken off.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Look up ornate vintage gate valve handles on google. There are a lot of examples. Here are 2 for starters.

 

[pepperj]

Looks like a tap handle on the front, though the 2 spurs sticking out and the underside makes it look different.

Does it stick to a magnet?

 

[tamrock]

It may have been nickel plated at one time, which makes me think old cast iron stove decorated with shiny features. I'm not thinking it a buckle, but more In-line with blackfoots idea.

 

[ticndig]

it is indeed a valve handle.

 

[pepperj]

it is indeed a valve handle.

If it was a valve handle the 2 spurs would be a pain to deal with.
Unless there was a link joining the 2, and a chain/lock for security/safety for turning on the valve.

 

[ticndig]

those two spurs are puzzling . maybe it just looks like a valve handle but is something else

 

[IHC656]

Looks like a tap handle on the front, though the 2 spurs sticking out and the underside makes it look different.

Does it stick to a magnet?

Yes it sticks to a magnet..
Eyeballing the thickness I’d say it is about 1/8 thick. Rim is thicker. Two small studs on back side.

 

[creskol]

I think it is horse brass (accouterment) with the loop broken off. Not all horse brasses were brass.

 

[Blackfoot58]

The “studs” appear to stick out to the side, not just down. They may have been a rudimentary method of indicating the valve position. Possibly for “off” and “high” on a radiator for a boiler heat system.

 

[Retired Sarge]

I think it is horse brass (accouterment) with the loop broken off. Not all horse brasses were brass.

You can see in the back image, where it looks like a loop or pins or something was attached. Then again they could be artifacts of the casting process......