what are these from ( SOLVED!)

[NGE]

These things (caps?) are found all over the place here in Michigan. Anytime you find one, keep hunting that park or field or island. Something was going on at least 100 or more years ago. They are made of aluminum, most are 1/2 inch diameter on the open end, if not smashed, they are 1/4 inch tall, the look like large caliber thin aluminum pellets, we also thought opium bottle caps, some of these are 3/4 inch in diameter, and have a rubber seal around the narrow waist part of them. We have searched available patent materials and pictures, typed in all kinds of "key words" and still can't figure out what they are. Many kudo's to whoever can find anything about these things......... notgittinenny

 

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[NGE]

Re: what are these from

That's why at first we thought 'opium bottles'. Till I dug one near Holland State park on Lake Michigan with a rubber seal on its outside. Now I will search 'fireworks ' on patent site.

 

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[NGE]

Re: what are these from

Another thought in the gun powder think. Could it be possible that they are some type of percussion cap? Large caliber cannon or gun?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: what are these from

Another thought in the gun powder think. Could it be possible that they are some type of percussion cap? Large caliber cannon or gun?

I dont know. Musket caps are larger but the ones I have seen are brass. On second thought they usually split open when fired. Maybe aluminum would hold up better and only mushroom. I dunno... a real mystery here.

 

[hollowpointred]

Re: what are these from

i find these at old amusement park sites too. i always thought they were the ends of old style fuses. (probably used on the rides)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: what are these from

i find these at old amusement park sites too. i always thought they were the ends of old style fuses. (probably used on the rides)

I actually worked at a carnival and operated each of the larger rides. We rarely blew a fuse. More like never. Why so many? And why are they mushroomed? Maybe different back in the day.

 

[NGE]

Re: what are these from

I joined and posted these same pics on http://www.fireworksland.com forum and am letting them have a go at it also. I chose screen name of 9fingers......lol. One has already replied and said if they were used for something boom or fizz, he never seen 'em before, but he said he will ask some of his older friends.

 

[hmmm]

Re: what are these from

hmmm

They look like caps used to keep wheals on a kids toy's or wagon. just a thought.

 

[mastereagle22]

Re: what are these from

They COULD be caps for nails on top of the roofs of the rides/booths. I hunted a site not to long ago and found a bunch that looked just like that except they were made of lead.


Don't know, just throwing it out there...

 

[NGE]

Re: what are these from

Some of the places we out here, have found them never had anything but pony rides. The nearest amusement park to this one park is 1 mile by water and then 4 miles by land. The old amusement park was called " Sugar Island" and those thingies are everywhere on that island. That's why I thought they may have something to do with fireworks or novelty noise makers.

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: what are these from

i find these at old amusement park sites too. i always thought they were the ends of old style fuses. (probably used on the rides)

I actually worked at a carnival and operated each of the larger rides. We rarely blew a fuse. More like never. Why so many? And why are they mushroomed? Maybe different back in the day.

Big Cy... You were a carny? Awesome!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: what are these from

i find these at old amusement park sites too. i always thought they were the ends of old style fuses. (probably used on the rides)

I actually worked at a carnival and operated each of the larger rides. We rarely blew a fuse. More like never. Why so many? And why are they mushroomed? Maybe different back in the day.

Big Cy... You were a carny? Awesome!

lol in my later years for about 2 seasons. Drive to the site, set up the rides, run the event, pack up the rides, drive to the next town....and do it all over again. We used large generators and I cant remember ever blowing a fuse, or breaker, even in the rain. We changed a lot of light bulbs.

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: what are these from

These are mostly found where an old amusement or carnival grounds were once at, or within 20 miles of. I am the only person to have found one with a number on the inside of the cap, it is '95 ( 1895? ) but that is inside one of the larger ones. I will try to get some natural daylight pics...... Larry

There is another with a number in your picture

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: what are these from

I also realise now, having seen the one with the rubber, we are looking at PLUGS not CAPS - but I'm still

On second thoughts - How about stoppers for helium balloons??
Mike

 

[NGE]

Re: what are these from

I just looked at the "cap" with the mystery number on it. I used a 10X loupe, couldn't see anything except corrosion, so I rinsed with just cold water and a toothpick, and the number is gone. I will have to search "Plugs" in U.S. Patent site

 

[lonesomebob]

Re: what are these from

I traveled with a carnivak operating a shooting gallery,but never saw anything like those. Bob

 

[NGE]

Re: what are these from

Heya Bob, Pezhead here (aka) notgittinenny. I still can't figure out what these things are from. Maybe I ought to check out picnic items, maybe a part for an old grill or pickanick basket, or wooden chair or ?

 

[buckaroo]

Re: what are these from

They kind of remind me of caps off of old vaccine bottles used on our farm when I was young.

 

[NGE]

Re: what are these from

Yup, they sure do sorta look like those, but How would you stick needle thru that? As I have posted earlier, these are found mostly in picnic and carnival areas, old ones......

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: what are these from

That might explain why they are all mushroomed. From opening the caps. Maybe Opium was very popular back in the day.

 

[buckaroo]

Re: what are these from

The needle didn't go through them. It was a protective cap from the factory. Under it is a rubber top that the needle is pushed through. Once the top was removed it was discarded.