Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the iron mess? cleaned up some

[Bramblefind]

Any ideas about what is going on with this piece? Is that a decorated rivet?

Found it in the foundation of a farm outbuilding. I think the building was used for apple/cider/canning storage.

Thanks!

 

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[vayank54]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

I found one of those years ago and never did find out what it was.

 

[NGE]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

Could be outer part of a large chain for a conveyor belt, you know, like a bicycle chain........NGE

 

[DrGrip]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

The brass "rivet" could also have been used as a decorative piece on a trunk, desk, etc. to hold on a piece of common iron. The wood is gone and only the metal type stuff is left. The rust is probably the only thing holding the brass in place now.

I think it's a bit large to be a chain link piece, not to mention the brass would have been a bit soft for that application. I'm going with ornamental steel plate with fancy "nails"

Grip

 

[bradyboy]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

I like the chain link idea
Brady

 

[Breezie]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

Bramble, can you tell how the rivet is attached? Have you thought about taking a pair of pliers and twisting some of the rust off? Interesting find, Breezie

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

DrGrip - You are onto something - there were remnants of wood - I took a pic before I commenced my cleaning attempt:

I thought the rust was holding the "rivet" in place too but after cleaning it tonight I found that it is really stuck in there firmly.

I tried to clean it up for you Breezie But I'm sure I could do more. The pliers were a great idea! Though I might have nipped off a little of the actual metal b/c I got a bit carried away.

I was just thinking maybe part of a barrel/keg? I did find an early barrel tap in this area last year.

After "cleaning" - I can't really see yet how the rivet is attached.

 

[NGE]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the yucky iron mess?

Now it looks like a rusty but trusty " church Key ".........NGE

 

[Bramblefind]

I'll have to explore the "church key" idea. I did want to put up a couple more pics to show two features that I noticed -

the underside of the big hole has notches opposite each other - making me think that this piece fit over something. It makes me think again of a barrel tap.

The rivet thing might have a screw top?

 

[wan]

I'm guessing an old drawer pull. The button and the back-plate are are two different metals. It was manufactured by pouring iron in a mold, with the rivet looking part as a single piece with the main plate. That's what actually passed through a drilled hole in the drawer to attach it.

The decorative button piece is a different metal, pressed (wrapped around) over a nipple used to pull it out of the mold. That button attached the actual pull device, now gone, but was likely fairly heavy itself. Usually too heavy for the metal used to hold it.

The indentations on each side of the large hole held a decorative bumper plate, which the missing pull struck when released. That bumper plate was never physically attached, rather just sandwiched between the backplate and the drawer, held in constant orientation by those indentation on the back.

I'm just guessing, based on design principles I've seen used before, but every indentation, defect, etc., matches that design.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It would be a good idea to use electrolysis instead of pliers..

The curved slot looks like an adjustment.

I dont think the brass designed piece is a rivet.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I'm guessing an old drawer pull.

would like to see a pic

 

[Breezie]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the iron mess? cleaned up som

Bramble, now it's looking like some type of latch. A little more cleaning ought to tell the tale. Breezie

 

[Bramblefind]

I've never done electrolysis but I looked up the instructions and I think I can handle it. I will need to gather some supplies though. I did try to clean it some more. I don't know that these pics will look much different from the last set.

I am started to lose some chunks along the edges by my intense cleaning methods so I think electrolysis might be the only option to make it any better.

I do think there are 2 nubs on the underside of the large opening. There are located at the edge of the circle on the sides which are not notched.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You can use a 12volt battery charger if you have one. I use baking soda and water solution in a bucket..
Electrolysis is amazing. I dont know how it will affect the brass button.

Yes I see the 2 nubs that may be the remains of screws or rivets.

 

[wan]

I'm guessing an old drawer pull.

would like to see a pic

Agreed. I googled a bit, but failed to find something close enough. Without such an example my guess is nothing more than a suggestion, in the hopes that someone else may be have something more concrete.

 

[Bramblefind]

I was able to give it a few hours of electrolyis - probably should have gone longer but with the kids and the dog there is too much chaos around my house to risk it.

I think it is a bit better and I was able to get a chunk off the back of the button/rivet to see it is attached via a threaded screw stem.

About 5" long and 2" wide.

Once more for good measure!

 

[Breezie]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the iron mess? cleaned up som

Hey Bramble, I'm now thinking it belongs on an antique wooden trunk or strong box, and the open area at the bottom is where a leather strap would go, and the brass screw was part of the attachment to the trunk, plus it was decorative. The round open area could have been an area for a lock. Whutcha think? Breezie

 

[Bramblefind]

Could be! I tried to find a picture of what you suggested. I found this example - don't know if it is what you were imagining - but the button/rivet things are interesting and show the concept I think:

 

[Breezie]

Re: Is this rivet thing supposed to be attached to the iron mess? cleaned up som

Bramble, I've got some customers now, so I can't search, but will try to find a pic of the old trunks with leather straps.