What was this used for?

[dosullivan]

Hi all,

During repairs to an old shed after the recent storm damage, i found this interesting item sitting on a high shed wall.

 

Pictures are attached

Diameter is 3.5 inches

Weight is 3LB

 

There is a square hole through the middle. Must have been cast in this shape.

Looks too neat to have been punched?

 

Any suggestions would be good.

Thank you.

[ThomasPowers]

possibly a gate closer.  What country are you in---it makes a difference on possible uses

 

Also the last usage may not have been the first usage.  It looks like a counterweight designed to slide on a shaft.  The loop may be a retrofit for another use.

 

Might make a small weight for a small screwpress for instance.

[dosullivan]

Thanks for the reply, im from the west of Ireland.

I myself havnt seen such an item in use for a gate closer around these parts, but it might just be.

[ironwolfforgeca]

a ball wt for a fly press ????????? :wacko:

[ThomasPowers]

Just talking to a co-worker from Cork this morning on the way to the border of USA/Mexico  (plant is in Mexico).

 

The way they were used for gate closers is to fasten a chain between the gate and the Gatepost with with the ball fastened to the middle of it.  When you open the gate it stretches the chain taught and raises the ball that pulls down on the chain to provide closing force.  I first saw one in use at Colonial Williamsburg an American colonial history museum.

 

Heavier than 3 pounds I have seen ones used to tie off horses to so they can graze but not travel very far.

 

A lot of machinery used counterweights before coil springs were cheap and "reliable".  I had a sheet metal brake that used a set of them.

[dosullivan]

Interesting thought to attach to a beast to allow them to graze but not travel too far.

I wondered could it be the gong for a church bell

Or the Iron balls the men used to throw down the road as a sport

A machine counterweight is an interesting idea too.

Thanks for your response!