✅ SOLVED Probably trash but I want to know what it is

[WannaDig3687]

I was digging in the bank of my creek where I am finding bottles. I'm leaning towards this being a dump site but still not sure. Anyway, I pulled this out. It's 3-1/2" X 4-1/2" X 1/2" thick. Black it looks like. Metal. There's a circle on one side. I can't tell if it's a screw or bolt or what? And one of the edges has a little square. Very corroded. Any ideas on cleaning it? Or should I even try?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[trikikiwi]

Looks like an old mortice lock.

 

[TommyB]

Looks like an old door lock mechanism

 

[VaNana]

This one has been painted many times but from my house built in 1880.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Wow that was fast! Thank you both! Mystery solved.

 

[sprailroad]

It looks a little toasted, so nothing to lose, soak it in some apple cider vinegar for a few days perhaps after knocking and/or wire brushing off the excess rust. the vinegar really eats away the rust quite well. After that, if it's porous, and you want to keep it, then soak it in water/baking soda mix, the baking soda to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Or set up an electrolysis rig.

I think the ID is right on. These assemblies were still made at least up thru the late 1940's. My house was finished about 1951, and the door to my upstairs executive suite has one of those.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Everyone is so helpful on here. I really appreciate it! Maybe one day I'll be able to return the favor. I don't know when this farm was originally started, but I know it was here prior to 1750 because I found a map from the library of Congress. Mostly we find fence posts and broken glass. But we have a few bottles and now this. I'm sure there will be something else I will need help identifying. I am going to try to clean it because I am overwhelmed with all the history. Thank you all so very much!

 

[RockinIdaho]

OLD SKELETON KEY LOCK THAT FITS IN THE DOOR