weird threaded cap

[kyphote]

Found this heavy lead cap in a confederate camp today. Not saying it's CW related but it has that blanched, hand carved look prevalent at most CW sites. Also has some interesting striations. I'm assuming it's some sort of fitting but for what? Munitions/projectile related or something less exciting? Has anyone come across one of these? Thanks.

 

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[jdsarasin8194]

Re: strange threaded cap

mabby a gun powder container cover
just a guess

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dontknow if its CW related but it looks like a rigid iron pipe cap and the striations could be from the pipe wrench.

 

[jdsarasin8194]

I dontknow if its CW related but it looks like a rigid iron pipe cap and the striations could be from the pipe wrench.

that make sence, every variable adds up

 

[kyphote]

I dontknow if its CW related but it looks like a rigid iron pipe cap and the striations could be from the pipe wrench.

that make sence, every variable adds up

I think that fits, as well -- thanks. Was hoping this was one of those ubiquitous items someone has seen and knows its purpose. Probably just some custom fitting. Thanks for yall's input.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I reread this wondering what is special about a steel pipe fitting and I didnt realize it was lead. It still could be pipe wrench marks but I dont know much about lead pipe fittings. Is that standard pipe threading on the inside?

I guess a lead cap would be good around gun powder.

 

[flip flop]

Good around gun powder and natural gas lines

 

[kyphote]

I reread this wondering what is special about a steel pipe fitting and I didnt realize it was lead. It still could be pipe wrench marks but I dont know much about lead pipe fittings. Is that standard pipe threading on the inside?

I guess a lead cap would be good around gun powder.

Right, the lead made me think munitions related but I could be off. Nothing is too standard about the piece and the threads--while crude--appear functional. I was thinking the striations might indicate it was forced into something, though the result of tightening seems very plausible. Also, on the center of the cap face, there's a small indentation, which shows up in the pic. Could be another clue. This was found in a Confederate artillery zone with cannonball fragments, a fuse punch, fuse shield and some A buttons unearthed. Can't find anything in my research to connect this particular item, though. Could be a total non sequitur. Whatever the case, I'm positive (yes, I said the word!) this is 19th century. Thanks for taking a second look, Cy.

 

[PChammer]

Looks like an old lead water pipe cap to a pump, perhaps from an old well pump Being how the threads are finer, it seems to me it would be for water or gas.

Paul

 

[Lucas]

Most munitions bits were brass.

Most bulk powder containers were wood with wood screw plugs. The rest were tinned iron, with tinned iron caps. Kinda "blows up" the old electro-conductivity myths you hear.

 

[rush]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Most munitions bits were brass.

Most bulk powder containers were wood with wood screw plugs. The rest were tinned iron, with tinned iron caps. Kinda "blows up" the old electro-conductivity myths you hear.

Yea thats right I have a modern powder container today that comes with a steel cap.

 

[PChammer]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

True but it does look oxidized as well. I am not positive but it could be other minerals that came into contact with the oxidized cap left rust deposits on it. Just a thought.

Paul

 

[kyphote]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

That's just clay, not rust. Sorry, should have cleaned it better. The entire piece is lead. Does not respond to a magnet if that helps.

 

[PChammer]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

That's just clay, not rust. Sorry, should have cleaned it better. The entire piece is lead. Does not respond to a magnet if that helps.

Copper won't respond to a magnet either unless mixed with other alloys. Was just wondering since there is some greenish patches on the cap, are you sure it's lead? Lead will oxidize and get a white substance around it. Are you sure it's all clay? Perhaps a small scrape test would be the best way to go?

Paul

 

[kyphote]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

That's just clay, not rust. Sorry, should have cleaned it better. The entire piece is lead. Does not respond to a magnet if that helps.

Copper won't respond to a magnet either unless mixed with other alloys. Was just wondering since there is some greenish patches on the cap, are you sure it's lead? Lead will oxidize and get a white substance around it. Are you sure it's all clay? Perhaps a small scrape test would be the best way to go?

Paul

Yes, I couldn't be more positive it's lead and I'm equally positive that the red junk is clay. Perhaps the pics didn't come out well, but the surface is nearly completely white and leaves that white residue in my hands upon rinsing. I'll scrape and show pics if that helps. I guess my question is, are lead pipe fittings common? Thanks for your consideration on this. Could be the kind of object that's more intriguing in person.

 

[PChammer]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

That's just clay, not rust. Sorry, should have cleaned it better. The entire piece is lead. Does not respond to a magnet if that helps.

Copper won't respond to a magnet either unless mixed with other alloys. Was just wondering since there is some greenish patches on the cap, are you sure it's lead? Lead will oxidize and get a white substance around it. Are you sure it's all clay? Perhaps a small scrape test would be the best way to go?

Paul

Yes, I couldn't be more positive it's lead and I'm equally positive that the red junk is clay. Perhaps the pics didn't come out well, but the surface is nearly completely white and leaves that white residue in my hands upon rinsing. I'll scrape and show pics if that helps. I guess my question is, are lead pipe fittings common? Thanks for your consideration on this. Could be the kind of object that's more intriguing in person.

Well, I think you can still get them although where I live, there are still numerous houses that have lead piping. When I did carpentry work, we ran across more than our share and I have a friend who smelts aluminum but also takes lead and all sorts of metals and he has a box full of these so from my opinion, they are not rare except for the fact that they should not be used in homes of course. This is assuming it's the same lead cap that you have but I am fairly positive it is.

EDIT: I do want to mention that it looks like a gas pipe cap, not a water cap.

 

[kyphote]

I don't think it's lead ! why is it rusty ?
Looks lke a rusty water pipe cap!

That's just clay, not rust. Sorry, should have cleaned it better. The entire piece is lead. Does not respond to a magnet if that helps.

Copper won't respond to a magnet either unless mixed with other alloys. Was just wondering since there is some greenish patches on the cap, are you sure it's lead? Lead will oxidize and get a white substance around it. Are you sure it's all clay? Perhaps a small scrape test would be the best way to go?

Paul

Yes, I couldn't be more positive it's lead and I'm equally positive that the red junk is clay. Perhaps the pics didn't come out well, but the surface is nearly completely white and leaves that white residue in my hands upon rinsing. I'll scrape and show pics if that helps. I guess my question is, are lead pipe fittings common? Thanks for your consideration on this. Could be the kind of object that's more intriguing in person.

Well, I think you can still get them although where I live, there are still numerous houses that have lead piping. When I did carpentry work, we ran across more than our share and I have a friend who smelts aluminum but also takes lead and all sorts of metals and he has a box full of these so from my opinion, they are not rare except for the fact that they should not be used in homes of course. This is assuming it's the same lead cap that you have but I am fairly positive it is.

Good enough for me! Thanks for the insight.