Lead Bars?

[TiBorn]

I recently found 5 heavy bars. They are really old looking but when pops took a knife to one it was pretty shiny. Is there a test I can do to know for sure what I've found?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[oxbowbarefoot]

Pictures would be helpful. Is the metal soft?

 

[steelheadwill]

Pictures would be helpful. Is the metal soft?

Pix are very helpful, also size? shape?
lead ingots come in varied shape & size, I've dug 3 to 30 lbers.
the first two pix show small ingots from salt mud,
other two from dirt.
an all precious metal test kit can be had for under 15 bucks, comes in handy
Let's see some Silver!

 

[MRBeyer]

If they are not lead they may be zinc anode bars (used to help prevent corrosion).
Scratch off a little and try melting it with a small propane torch. Its difficult to melt zinc and silver as their melt points are higher than lead.

 

[The Silver Pirate]

Here is a test kit. Easy to use. Just rub the swab on it. Pink = lead!

http://sciencekit.com/instant-lead-testing-kit/p/IG0022822/