Whatizit from 1800's site?

[shilohdiggr]

THIS IS THICK CAST BRASS AND MEASURES 1INCH & 5/8IN.WIDE.ALMOST RESEMBLES LETTER "P" OR LOWER CASE "d".THE HOLE LOOKS PUNCHED BY SOMEONE,RATHER THAN MACHINED FOR MECHANICAL PURPOSES.FROM A REAL OLD SPOT.

 

[rexy]

Most likely a gun part, if not for the trigger==hammer, than the safety switch, or another mechanism

 

[Woodstock]

It could also be part of a hoist mechanism . The part that clicks on the gear on the hoist and then holds it where it's stopped ... just a thought or part of a vintage brake system .. Woodstock

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Have a similar item...will find and post.

 

[glenn3-88]

It could also be part of a hoist mechanism . The part that clicks on the gear on the hoist and then holds it where it's stopped ... just a thought or part of a vintage brake system .. Woodstock

Woodstock,

When I saw it, it reminded me of an old hay rake ratchet. We use to cut the corn stalks down
after breaking the corn when I was little and we would hitch the mule to the corn rake and
you would go across the field with this huge rake and when it got full behind you there was
a kick similar to a brake pedal that would trip the rake causing it to raise and this looks similar
to that mechanism. Once the rake wheel made one complete turn this latch would fall back in
place in the gear box and lock the pedal back down so when you filled it again all you had to
do was keep kicking it. Also good for raking hay into wind rows for an old fashioned mule drawn
hay baler