Possibly an old bell?

[WHADIFIND]

I've had this posted up on the "Today's Finds" board for a bit now and received some good hints. I thought I'd post it here so that the research experts could have a go.

Actually, I'm just curious.

This was found in the yard that dates back to the 1850's. It was about 6-9 inches deep and the pictures that show it put together is the way it came out of the ground. One on top of the other, as if they were one item. The material appears to be brass with some remnants of rusted iron. Maybe that's what held them together once? Or maybe glued?

Anyway, here's a few pics, let me know if another view would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[uglymailman]

Looks to me to be for lack of a better wording "smudge pot". They were filled w/fluid (diesel ?) and had a wick like a lamp. They were lit to mark hazards on highway at night. I remember still seeing the highway dept. use them into the 70's when battery operated lights replaced them.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Looks to me to be for lack of a better wording "smudge pot". They were filled w/fluid (diesel ?) and had a wick like a lamp. They were lit to mark hazards on highway at night. I remember still seeing the highway dept. use them into the 70's when battery operated lights replaced them.

Oh my! I think I have mislead with my poor pics. Sorry.
The diameter of this is about 1.75 inches and the height of the two together is only about 1.5 inches. Don't think it's a smudge pot, unless, they made them really small back then.

Of course, I could be completely wrong as I have no clue.

Thanks for the response!

HH!

 

[uglymailman]

sorry, my bad. I misread the 6-9". IF it WAS 6-9" tall it would look like a smudge pot. Now ya have me wondering what it could be. Good luck.

 

[WHADIFIND]

sorry, my bad. I misread the 6-9". IF it WAS 6-9" tall it would look like a smudge pot. Now ya have me wondering what it could be. Good luck.

Well, judging from the responses, either it's very obvious and I'm wasting people's valuable time by asking. Or, no one else knows either. LOL

I appreciate the attempt!

HH!

 

[iCandy]

Hmm...kinda looks like a heavy duty bobber!? 😜

 

[DCMatt]

I think it is a bedknob.

DCMatt

 

[mtholen]

Ink well?