Two Mystery Objects

[Metal Magnet]

Alright, hitting this forum like crazy. I knocked on a door today and got these 2 items. I haven't the foggiest clue what the heck either are:

Object #1

Heavy, egg shaped had what looked like a bolt through it at one time. Groove runs along the entire length of the back. The groove is tapered like it ran along a rail and was bolted into place. The front has the letters UFA right above the rusted bolt. On the back it says Chicago 4 and Fenton's 4. What is it?





Object #2

Very heavy object. shaped like a wheel with a hole through it. No idea. What is it?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Ox horn nuts?

 

[creskol]

Be real careful with those .. I think they are pods from.............






.............. the:

 

[artyfacts]

LOL...

Be real careful with those .. I think they are pods from.............






.............. the:

 

[digging wv]

Could it be associated with the Fenton Art Glass Company?

 

[maxpower]

J.H. Fenton Roller skate parts?

 

[vhs07]

On item #1, could it weigh 4 ounces? Could be a type of counter weight.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

On item #1, could it weigh 4 ounces? Could be a type of counter weight.

Whomever manufacturered this piece had factories or offices in Chicago and Fenton Illinois. The letter fonts are 19th century or early 20th. I considered Chicago Scale Company but I cant find anything about an office in Fenton or a connection to UFA..

 

[DCMatt]

On item #1, could it weigh 4 ounces? Could be a type of counter weight.

Whomever manufacturered this piece had factories or offices in Chicago and Fenton Illinois. The letter fonts are 19th century or early 20th. I considered Chicago Scale Company but I cant find anything about an office in Fenton or a connection to UFA..

I think it's a scale counter weight also but I can't prove it.

Someone in my club found a similar looking item in a Virginia farm field last year. The markings were different and it had a '3' on it. We could not positively identify that piece either.

I think the stamped letters on the from are DFA - Department of Food and Agriculture. They might regulate weights and measures.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

On item #1, could it weigh 4 ounces? Could be a type of counter weight.

Whomever manufacturered this piece had factories or offices in Chicago and Fenton Illinois. The letter fonts are 19th century or early 20th. I considered Chicago Scale Company but I cant find anything about an office in Fenton or a connection to UFA..

I think the fact that is says "FENTON'S" with the 's tells us that it is not a city name. I found a number of turn-of-the-20th century references to something called "Fenton's metal" used in bearings. Pretty sure this item is not a bearing...

DCMatt

 

[Metal Magnet]

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the information! The counter balance idea seems right. I will post a pic of the rail opening when I get home. As for the huge, heavy item, i guess it could be an ox horn nut. no idea.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

On item #1, could it weigh 4 ounces? Could be a type of counter weight.

Whomever manufacturered this piece had factories or offices in Chicago and Fenton Illinois. The letter fonts are 19th century or early 20th. I considered Chicago Scale Company but I cant find anything about an office in Fenton or a connection to UFA..

I think the fact that is says "FENTON'S" with the 's tells us that it is not a city name. I found a number of turn-of-the-20th century references to something called "Fenton's metal" used in bearings. Pretty sure this item is not a bearing...

DCMatt

I forgot about the S on the end of FENTON's so its probably not a city but maybe a company name such as Fenton's in Chicago.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found a number of turn-of-the-20th century references to something called "Fenton's metal" used in bearings. Pretty sure this item is not a bearing...

DCMatt

Not a bearing but maybe a bushing? I think you are on to something with "Fenton's Metal."

The full text of foundry nomenclature describes Fenton's Metal as an anti-friction metal composition of Zinc, Tin and Copper. http://www.archive.org/stream/foundrynomenclat00buchrich/foundrynomenclat00buchrich_djvu.txt

FENTON'S METAL. An anti-friction metal. Comp. :
Zn 79, Sn 16, Cu 5.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

http://www.southerncrossmetalrecyclers.com.au/scrap/fentons-metal.html

Fenton's Metal

A white bearing or anti-friction metal, employed for axle-boxes of locomotives and wagons. Typical composition: Zinc 80%, tin 15.5% and copper 5.5%

 

[Metal Magnet]

Wow, now that is good! I found out that the landowner's grandfather used to work at the railroad station in town. Here is a pic of the rail guide: