Found at a Logging Camp

[jwarner51]

Hi all,

I found this little brass relic in a logging area that dates from 1862 to the early 1870s. There’s square nails, ox shoes, etc. all over this area

The stem is solid brass apart from the two hole drilled through it. No patent dates or writing on it that I can see.
Any suggestions?

 

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[Gambrinus]

Is there a hole from the cup down to the two holes in the stem? If so I think you have an oil cup for machinery, the newer cups have a spring on the lid.

I wonder if the hole in the lid was drilled by an operator so he could add oil without having to lift the lid because the hole looks to be off center in your first picture.

https://www.google.com/search?q=vin...ei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=nOX2Xp2VLbaT-gTx7YXQCA

 

[jwarner51]

That may be it. The cup is solid though with no holes in it. That stem is solid brass other than the two transverse holes. I really don’t know what it could’ve been used for.

 

[Tony in SC]

The first pic shows something inside, what is it?

 

[jwarner51]

The first pic shows something inside, what is it?

It was a small piece of rusted iron that was in there when I opened it. It’s too rusted away to tell what it may have been. That bowl is solid though

 

[Gambrinus]

That may be it. The cup is solid though with no holes in it. That stem is solid brass other than the two transverse holes. I really don’t know what it could’ve been used for.

Is the hole centered in the lid? Could you take a picture of the lid looking down on it and one looking into the bowl? It may help.

 

[No gold in NY]

Seems to me that if it is an oil cup, one wouldn't want a hole in the lid to let dirt pass. It is a curious piece. A keeper for sure.

 

[Tony in SC]

If it was an oiler the wire inside would have held a felt packing to hold the oil to let it slowly drip out. Maybe it dispenced some other liquid? I have dozens of old oilers but I have never seen one like that!!

 

[jwarner51]

Ok everyone, after closer inspection, there does appear to be a hole in the bowl. It’s sealed with iron which is why I didn’t notice it. And the iron inside of the bowl is still attached to that hole and appears to “loop” around the inside of the bowl about halfway. I took some more pics to show it. The black arrows indicate where the whole is. My question is, if this an Oiler, what kind of equipment would it have been on and would it fit the 1860-70s time period?

 

[Tony in SC]

Is there a hole in the threaded end?

Ok everyone, after closer inspection, there does appear to be a hole in the bowl. It’s sealed with iron which is why I didn’t notice it. And the iron inside of the bowl is still attached to that hole and appears to “loop” around the inside of the bowl about halfway. I took some more pics to show it. The black arrows indicate where the whole is. My question is, if this an Oiler, what kind of equipment would it have been on and would it fit the 1860-70s time period?
View attachment 1845135View attachment 1845136View attachment 1845137

 

[jwarner51]

Is there a hole in the threaded end?

There appears to be some sort of indentation but it doesn’t go to the other side.

 

[Tony in SC]

Like I said before, I have seen small oilers before but not one exactly like that one. I would say from late 1800's, may be made by the Gitts oiler Co ? Its' very small for an oiler. May be from a mechanical saw or grinder, not something big. Just a guess
.

 

[jwarner51]

Like I said before, I have seen small oilers before but not one exactly like that one. I would say from late 1800's, may be made by the Gitts oiler Co ? Its' very small for an oiler. May be from a mechanical saw or grinder, not something big. Just a guess
.

Thank you very much for the interest and help in this. I wouldn’t have even been able to get it was an Oiler haha. What exactly do the oilers help do on a piece of equipment?

 

[nhbenz]

Part of an old tape measure perhaps:

 

[desertexplorer]

Amazing id, I’m impressed!

 

[jwarner51]

Well I’ll say I’m very impressed. After looking a several examples, I think that is a correct ID. That’s incredible. I would NEVER have thought it to be from a tape measure

 

[jwarner51]

After looking at mine, under the lid you can see a rub mark around the center hole of the lid where the knob must’ve been.

 

[Gambrinus]

Great Id. nhbenz. That must be it and not an oiler like I had thought.

 

[Tony in SC]

Great ID!! I had doubts about it being an oiler.