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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: ringmasternj on January 28, 2012, 04:41:11 PM

Title: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: ringmasternj 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?

(http://i.imgur.com/pQWXd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5ErtJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/i1zYB.jpg)

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: JoshandLila on January 28, 2012, 04:53:27 PM

what are the dimensions? any markings?

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: ringmasternj on January 28, 2012, 05:51:07 PM

Quote from: JoshandLila on January 28, 2012, 04:53:27 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.

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: japple 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.

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: cogar 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.

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: sapphire 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

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: cogar 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.

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: JoshandLila on January 29, 2012, 01:24:56 PM

nice call sapphire!

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: fancypants on January 30, 2012, 12:27:38 PM

Good bingo on the oilers , sapphire .

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: KC on January 30, 2012, 01:50:59 PM

GREAT JOB SAPPHIRE!!!!

Title: Re: Two brass containers chained together, not sure what they are.
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 30, 2012, 06:44:47 PM

Good one!! ;D