1 Whatzit and 1 Question on Button

[Les1224]

I found the large metal thing in my front yard the button was near it.How can you tell if a button is very old other than the obvious reasons the button is metal sorry.
Thanks Les

 

[407floyd]

The large item is the locking mechanism that probably fit under your water meter lid (the old cast iron type). The button is actually a weight for dressmaking, etc.

 

[Les1224]

Thank you very much Floyd