Handmade can ( similar to spittoon but too small ) what is it ?

[cutnshoot84]

I came across this at a garage sale. The people I got it from said it came from Colorado but didn't know much more. It is made of 2 types of metal. The majority is made of a really hard alloy but not sure what it is and the other is what looks like some sort of brass sheeting. The main part is very hard metal and the 2 pieces are brazed together. Small snips were made that overlaid the metal it was joined to and then brazed so that it doesn't leak. The bottom has some dents that were intentionally made so that the can wont tip over after setting it down. There doesn't seem to be much rust , or oxidation from the elements. It is a really cool looking piece but I can't find out anything about it, where it was made or for what reason it was made. I am also wondering if it might be worth anything as well as if it is a one of a kind , single made can or if there might be others similar to mine.

If you are looking at picture #3 , the widest part is 4 3/4"
The side view ( narrow view ) is 3 1/2"
The width of the neck is 1 3/8" from the side, front, or back
The height is 6"
The ID of the hole in the top is 1 1/2"
The OD of the hole on the top is 2 7/16"


The 1st pic is of a cd/dvd next to it to judge the size of it.

Thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light on it.

[bigwull]

looks like a big brass door knob....

[ghopper1924]

or some kind of perfume bottle sans stopper.

It IS kind of cool looking...

[Rauville]

I can almost visualize that as being an old brass bar rail fitting that someone took the time to remodel.

[mart]

How big is it ??

[bigwull]

How big is it ??

the approx size is in the first post......why they could,nt just measure with a ruler..is anyone,s guess....

[cutnshoot84]

How big is it ??

If you are looking at picture #3 , the widest part is 4 3/4"
The side view ( narrow view ) is 3 1/2"
The width of the neck is 1 3/8" from the side, front, or back
The height is 6"
The ID of the hole in the top is 1 1/2"
The OD of the hole on the top is 2 7/16"

[mart]

Have you looked inside with a penlight ??  Is it smooth or rough !!

[fancypants]

Sort of looks like a foot from a brass bed , to me .

I'm wondering if the 'unknown alloy' allows a magnet to stick to it ?

[bigwull]

Foot?...try the other end....they come in all sizes....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-VICTORIAN-CAST-IRON-AND-BRASS-BED-END-ONLY-/271184818079

[cutnshoot84]

Sort of looks like a foot from a brass bed , to me .

I'm wondering if the 'unknown alloy' allows a magnet to stick to it ?

Yes the main metal is magnetic but the brass is not as you would know or expect.

[bigwull]

so it must have a thin covering of brass over steel or cast,iron

[cutnshoot84]

so it must have a thin covering of brass over steel or cast,iron

I  only tried an average weak ice box magnet and  it didn't stick where the brass was at. I will try a little stronger magnet later.

[mart]

If its from a brass bed it will not sit up as it is !! Normally they are made of lighter weight sheet brass !! And it would only be hollow where the ball screws onto the headboard or footboard and you can feel the threads  !! I would guess this is a container or small vase that was covered with something up to the solid color brass collar !!

[Rauville]

If its from a brass bed it will not sit up as it is !!...

First post describes it as having: "The bottom has some dents that were intentionally made so that the can wont tip over after setting it down."
This piece still looks to me as having a hole in each side that was patched with sheet brass. Something, such as a railing tube might have passed through it originally. I can envision someone spending time converting this from scrap metal to a vessel for whatever the reason might be. Maybe it did come from a historical location in Colorado at one time and was saved for a background that has been lost to time.