✅ SOLVED Mystery Brass Piece

[paleomaxx]

I found this today in an old field on top of a hill. Wasn't expecting much but this huge piece of brass screamed in the metal detector and I'm completely stumped as to what it is.




One edge is finished and the other edge is where the brass snapped. The break definitely happened when it was lost since the patina along the break is the same as on the outside. It looks like it was a half circle when complete. The inside isn't threaded; the ridges seem to be concentric, but what's really weird is that the inside and flanges are silvered. The bulk of the material is definitely brass though. Do you think there were two halves that were bolted together like a pipe collar? Seems weird to silver the part that wouldn't be visible though.

 

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[1637]

it part of a bearing off a crank shaft,
brad

 

[DCMatt]

it part of a bearing off a crank shaft,
brad

Here is a pic of a main bearing being made for 1914 Simplex 50 engine. This is before it is babbitted.

 

[Tony in SC]

Alot of the older engines (steam and oil) used brass/bronze bearings.

 

[paleomaxx]

That's really cool; thank you! So you think 1920-1940's maybe?

 

[DCMatt]

That's really cool; thank you! So you think 1920-1940's maybe?

First half of the 20th C is a safe bet.