What is this thing? Any ideas?

scloyd · February 2013

I found this in the woods about 20-25 years ago and have never been able to figure out what it is. It's made of steel and measures about 7" X 4 1/2" and weighs about a pound. Even though it's rusty, it's very solid. I haven't done anything to it except clean all the dirt off of it when I found it. Any ideas?

_DaniD_ · February 2013

paper towel

1ConcreteGirl · February 2013

Ancient gyno stirrups

sillygoosie · February 2013

Do a google image search

Alex_is_Hawks · February 2013

looks like a harness buckle or something like it...

not really...but kinda.

lucysmommy · February 2013

looks like a trap maybe?

jnichel · February 2013

Branding iron for this:

Meg_Shirley_86 · February 2013

Admiral Ackbar says "It's a trap."

MissBum · February 2013

Looks like an old trailor hitch or something!
really cool find though, wow..

whitehairedguy64 · February 2013

It looks like a press of some kind. The narrow part with the two holes would be a hinge of sorts. A rod, or pin would go through the holes. In the middle would be something also with holes. Putting a pin through the holes would permit this thing to pivot. The portion with the round metal rod sticking out loks like it would accept a wooden handle. The handle could be used to pick the press up, then something gets put under the webbed part and the handle would be used to push down.

Just a guess. What it would be used for, assuming it is some kind of press, is anybody's guess.

dirtnap63 · February 2013

Part of a yolk for a working animal maybe?

EatClean_WashUrNuts · February 2013

You should post a picture of the full item - missing the top portion of it.

whitehairedguy64 · February 2013

The "hinged part and the opposite end with the two "D" shaped rings appear to permit this thing to lie flat. Maybe as a grate or burner for a stove? The start portion would support a pot, maybe a coofee pot. If this is the case, not sure what the metal rod would be for other than to accept a knob or handle to move the "grate" up when it's hot. It may have to move to add fuel, such as wood if this is used on an old wood burning stove.

Again a guess. The pictures are better than before and that changes my opinion a bit.