Has anyone seen one of these before?

[DirtyMike]

I think I have seen one of these before I just don't know where or when. I dug this a couple weeks ago and could use a little help on an id. Thanks, Mike

 

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[AU24K]

WOW! I haven't seen one of those in a long time. I've dug a few myself, but always just thrown them away as trash. I always thought that they were some type of lid/cover to something like a gas(H2O) cannister or old brake fluid can....
I hope someone ID's them, for my own curiousity....
Scott

 

[DirtyMike]

Aluminum or pot metal like makeup?

I think its brass.....

 

[johnnyi]

What ever it is, it looks as though it might have had a second probably identical tab which broke off. Also when you see those tapered interior posts in castings (this is brass) it's usually a sign that a opposite half with cylindrical posts on its inside was pressed over them to hold them together. In this case pressed rather than screwed because it is cheaper to make.

This is probably half of a small toy padlock, where the face, as well as the pivot for the shackle was located on the missing half. (There are two large openings by each tab which may have been openings for the shackle)

http://images.google.com/imgres?img.../images?q=antique+toy+padlock&hl=en&sa=N&um=1

 

[allen]

i think johnny might be on the right track here.

 

[DirtyMike]

There is a tab broken of I think.

 

[traderoftreasures]

yeah like a little diary lock

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

i think johnny might be on the right track here.

I agree. Good one Johnnyi.

I dont think we can ID it any further. My book shows Yale, Miller, Eagle and some others used this shape.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Im looking at the last picture. Is that lettering on the back?