Some sort of weight, maybe?

The Aluminum Monster

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I suspect this will be easily solvable and I am just not putting the correct words into the Google machine.

Found while metal detecting today. Appears to be a large eye screw going through the center, independently, of the non-metal ball. I can't quite tell what the ball part is made of. It isn't metal, or rubber, or cement. Clay? There are no markings on it anywhere. I can take more pictures or run tests on it if need be as it is right beside me here.

I am guessing it is a weight (can't find my scale, I would guess it to be about a pound) of some kind but I've not seen one like this in my travels.

Thoughts?

Thanks for looking and for any help.

-Jay

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i have one like that found by the tracks. it was used on a mail bag on a post that the train picked up. :dontknow:
 

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i have one like that found by the tracks. it was used on a mail bag on a post that the train picked up. :dontknow:

Huh. Interesting. Any idea what it would be called so I can research it? Thanks for the lead!
 

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LOOKS LIKE THE SAME ITEM MY WIFE SWUNG AT ME AFTER I COME HOME WIH A METAL DETECTOR. I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU HAVE BUT NEAT ANYWAY.
 

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if found near water I would guess homemade duck decoy weight,assuming it sinks
 

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Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with mail pick ups by train.
But in the event it does, you may find it by researching phrases like:
Mail cranes, mail catcher arms, mail hook; and railroad post office.
Don.....
 

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It does sink. It doesn't match any of the vintage duck weights I saw online but that doesn't mean anything. It very well could be homemade.

I looked up several railway mail sites and saw several components to the mail catching system but couldn't find a weight specifically.
 

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how about clacker from a large bell?
 

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The ball weights that Ant posted seem similar. I'll have to research it more after I wake up. Stupid work. Thank you all for your input. I'll check back in if amy questions arise.
 

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Any conclusions? What were Ball Weights used for? Clocks? Windows? Steelyard Weights?
 

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Pretty sure it is used in conjunction with a rope to make a door/gate closer.

Google "ball weight gate closer"
 

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Any conclusions? What were Ball Weights used for? Clocks? Windows? Steelyard Weights?

They were used as a form of testicular torture :P
 

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