Unknown Brass Item, Found in a tight area of Treasure

[kevin.guitars]

I found this in a small (25' x 50') area where I've found CW officer belt buckles, bullets, casings, slave shackles and a ton of iron spike nails. My MD buddy thinks it is from an old lathe because of the wheel bearings. I think it is an old oar holder for a boat, or some kind of cannon/gun rest. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I registered to this forum so I can get help with this (i've been reading it for a couple years though)!

Location is in Tampa FL. 2 miles from Macdill AFB, 1 mile from the port of Tampa, 1/4 mile from Hillsborough River, and 1/2 mile from Lowry Park (documented location of Andrew Jackson and Teddy Rossevelt army camps).

 

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[bigfoot1]

I know this is a long shot but is there a well near where you found it?

 

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[DoranHashemi]

From the condition it's in and the patina it looks earlyish 20th century. All I got

 

[kevin.guitars]

No well that I know of...

 

[VictorVincimus]

What's intriguing is the fact it is made of brass. Brass is a soft metal and would be prone to quick wear on the rollers. The advantage that brass has is its inability to create sparks. In the fire service we use brass shovels to dig for broken gas lines because they will not create an ignition source when the shovels hit rocks or metal. Hmmmm

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[releventchair]

I live about 1 mile from the old Tampa Armature Works factory in historic Ybor City. I know that when that factory was operating, my property was a tomato farm (circa WWII era)

Pics of armature winding show roller support on end of shaft.
Sorry not savvy enough to post them. Not a match but similar function.

Armature supported on non conductive rollers!