What is this?

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Why are you sure that is the top? As noted in my other posts, it appears to be the bottom to me. The other end is quite round and the part you are calling the top matches the base in many of the bollards I posted photos of that are welded on or sunk in mortar. The way it sits in his yard is not necessarily the way it was in use. A 12x12 base for a bollard seems reasonable to me.

I am not sure it is the top, simply calling it the top based on how it sits in the photo. If it is the bottom and a bollard how do you anchor it? Do you know how deep the bollards are sunk into the ground in your photos? Many, many feet. 10, 15, 20 feet and encased in tons of concrete to support the load.

Again, based on Brians description that it weigh's 100# he lifted it. That tells me it is sitting on the ground, nothing is buried. That is it you are looking at the whole part.

It could be a part of something? It attaches to something or something attaches to it? I am just guessing but I think the other end is open and slides onto a pole or shaft. It could be a foot? but that seems unlikely based on the concave. That concave serves a purpose.

[KFC911]

I can't recall what it was in, but all I can think of now is an old Steve Martin bit.... repeated over and over...

"What the hell is that thing'

Wish I could remember what it was from now....

edited: Steve on SNL - "What the hell is that" ?

[gregpark]

[billybek]

[KFC911]

^^^^ Thanks Billy !

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by KC911

Someone went to a lot of trouble making that concave top (or bottom) and it seems to be for a reason. Burying it in concrete for an anchoring base isn't that reason imo... but I dunno.

Generally they were/are welded on the deck.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Generally they were/are welded on the deck.

Why a concave surface then?

And furthermore...

"What the hell is that ?"

[billybek]

What does the other side look like?
Could it possibly be some sort of replaceable tooth for a rock crusher?
Since they were in the masonry business they might have had machinery for crushing and blending materials?

[911 Rod]

Looks like a chock for a train wheel to me.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by smadsen

Near the front porch, something to step on to clean your boots. Prolly homemade by a blacksmith 150 years ago. If the top is connected to the base, check the quality of the welding, or lack thereof, underneath.

When I bought my place, this was mounted in the cement walk near the back door...boot scraper.
I removed it the next year. (the spike ends get pushed into fresh cement)

[VINMAN]

Its off a well set up 944....

.