✅ SOLVED Old Mystery Metal from yard.

[Papa Crab]

Snow melted not to long ago in northern Minnesota so I decided to start detecting this year! I’m in an old Finnish town with some property that was used as farm land. I found this hunk of metal that’s heavy, scratch resistant, non magnetic, and goldish in color. Any ideas out there? Thanks!

 

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[traveller777]

You stated it is a "hunk of metal that is nonmetallic". I am confused by that. Can you clarify please. Do you mean non magnetic? Thanks for posting.

 

[Papa Crab]

You stated it is a "hunk of metal that is nonmetallic". I am confused by that. Can you clarify please. Do you mean non magnetic? Thanks for posting.

Thank you for that! Non magnetic*. I updated post 👌

 

[Papa Crab]

Looks like part of a tractor tread

Almost like a piece or caterpillar tread…. Strange thing is I don’t really see any attachment points or broken welds. Maybe that hinge has some purpose.

 

[pepperj]

Brass bearing block
Used on R/R cars though this one is a bit smaller.

 

[pepperj]

Almost like a piece or caterpillar tread…. Strange thing is I don’t really see any attachment points or broken welds. Maybe that hinge has some purpose.

Not a track piece. They're all made from hard steel.

 

[blauer]

Looks like a weight for balancing wheels, etc...

 

[Tony in SC]

Pepper is right. It is a bearing block for some type of shaft. Can't tell by the pic but could have been line at one time?

 

[Papa Crab]

Brass bearing block
Used on R/R cars though this one is a bit smaller.

I will look into this! I am next to a R/R that has been around for a long time. Thanks for the tip!

Edit

I’d say bingo 👌

 

[pepperj]

I will look into this! I am next to a R/R that has been around for a long time. Thanks for the tip!

Edit

I’d say bingo 👌

There's images of where and how these were placed at the end of the axles on the train cars.
Cool recovery and a bit $$$ at the recycling yard if you do cash it in.