Copper Steam Engine Part?

[dbado1]

This ones for all you railroad buffs. I found this at an old railroad spur where a narrow gauge steam engine use to off load ore from a mine. Any ideas? It's solid copper...you can see the copper showing through where I hit it. Even the mangled threads are copper. ???

[attachment 347389 IMG_1319.JPG] [attachment 347390 IMG_1318.JPG] [attachment 347391 IMG_1317.JPG]


Thanks!

Dean

 

[dbado1]

OK, different thought....my neighbor thinks that it is an early electrical "lug". The threads aren't mangled they are melted. There is some sort of post that runs up the middle and peeks out in that slot. I can't find anything on the net that resembles it but I may not be searching by the right name. Any ideas?

Thanks!