Author Topic: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.  (Read 2327 times)

ringmasternj

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Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« on: January 28, 2012, 04:41:11 pm »
All,

Any idea what these are? My father got them from a man who was 70+, who got them from his grandfather, but I have no idea how old they are. More importantly, I have no idea WHAT they are. Any ideas?




JoshandLila

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 04:53:27 pm »
what are the dimensions? any markings?
"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."
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ringmasternj

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2012, 05:51:07 pm »
what are the dimensions? any markings?

One container has a deeper recession of the face than the other.

They are both 5 3/4" tall

They are both 3 1/8" diameter

They are approximately 1" deep

The stem connecting to the container has an either cloth or suede like material as a seal.

No marking of any kind that I can find.

I almost want to say their interior smells similar to brass instrument oil?

Edit: Could just be the brass smell though.

OK, I think I'm on to something. I can "press" the center of the containers, like an oiler, so that's my first suspicion.

Edit: My father suggested it may be powder related as well.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2012, 06:03:56 pm by ringmasternj »

japple

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2012, 12:20:08 am »
They are oil cans. I don't think they are supposed to be chained together. They are 2 individual pieces with the chain keeping the cap from getting lost or misplaced.

cogar

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2012, 05:15:40 am »
It looks to me like they were a "pair" that were made chained together and for some reason the 2 end caps were made differently. Maybe for two different types/grades of oil.

sapphire

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2012, 07:27:01 am »
Had a little better luck after coming across the term brass oiler. Military, part of a kit for gun maintenance.

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=999

cogar

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 10:43:07 am »
All 4 of those are like the one on the right in to the 1st picture of the 1st post.

JoshandLila

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2012, 01:24:56 pm »
nice call sapphire!
"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."
H. G. Wells

fancypants

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2012, 12:27:38 pm »
Good bingo on the oilers , sapphire .
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KC

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2012, 01:50:59 pm »
GREAT JOB SAPPHIRE!!!!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2012, 06:44:47 pm »
Good one!! ;D
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