I won it...but what is it?

[hosman321]

I have no idea why I bid on this, probably just because it's old. I'll use it as a little candle holder or something. Judging by the tiny size of it, I don't think it's a skillet like they said. I think it may be the bottom of a finger/oil lamp?? Any ideas?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260625189350&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[talesofthesevenseas]

Interesting! I thought it was part of an iron Betty lamp, but the shape is all wrong.

These guys may be able to help. It's a forum for cast iron collectors, mostly collecting cookware, but one of them might know what this is.
http://www.griswoldandwagner.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

Whatever it is, I like it! Looking forward to finding out what it's use was!

[talesofthesevenseas]

I might have found it. This illustration shows an 18th century tinderbox:

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's a tinderbox with a candleholder top:

[hosman321]

Those look super close tales! I'm wondering what the tabs on the inside are for on the one I won? Holding the lid somehow? Also, it doesn't really look like it sits flat. Hmmm

[talesofthesevenseas]

It also looks heavier than the other examples. Not sure at all, just a thought. Great price you got it for!

[hosman321]

I think it may have been a tinderbox. The tabs were maybe for striking? Something like this? Or maybe the tabs held up a piece, like that one has the removeable piece.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Late-18th-Early-19th-Century-Tinderbox-w-Iron-Striker-/300421636017

[talesofthesevenseas]

The walls on this one just look so much thicker. Hmmm...

[KC]

Just doesn't feel right that it doesn't sit flat.  As if it was to sit on top of something else.  I would bet the stops were for a lid!

[sapphire]

Is it possible it was a lid? I realize that would then make the numbers upside down, but the resemblance of this
to an old pressure cooker lid from home way, way back really struck a cord with me.....as well as a later steamer/strainer
pot I found for my daughter at a thrift shop.  In both of those the 'tabs' fit into 'slots' in the rim of the pot, enabling you to turn
and 'lock' it in place.

Just a thought 

[ironlord1963]

After looking again, I would have to sapphire may be on to something.  Lid or Cap, It does appears the numbers would be right side up when turned upside down, or right side up if you are a cap     But not sure about the cooking thing.  That little handle would get really hot using this as a cooking device, and would be hard to grip with a oven mit. 

[regularjoe2]

It kinda reminds me of the Black Iron caps that were used for covering the fill-spouts for domestic fuel-oil furnace tanks back when I was a kid .... if so , it could have been fitted with a seal (at some point in time) .

It sure does not look like any frying pan I've ever seen .

I'm really guessing that it's not 1786c , though .

[hosman321]

Dangit, that would seriously stink if the number was a part/style number for something newer! I'm starting to think it's not the date though. It is a bit strange though that the number would be upside down. But not unheard of. Regularjoe, I'm trying to look up caps like you suggested. But I can't find any online. Any ideas where I can look for one like you mentioned?

[sapphire]

Pulling a flip-flop on you here. What if is fitted on to something like I mentioned.....but from below? Like a drip pan or seal of some sort

[KC]

I haven't seen many pieces that put a date on the side....it is usually a part number!