Melted metal object - original use?

[youngtug]

It is the presence of acid that causes the green, without it the oxide film would be brown.

Melting temp for iron and steel varies but starts just above 2,000f. Copper is slightly below that and bronze and brass are lower, although above 1650f.   Gold, silver and aluminium are lower [in that order]

[Footo]

A door knocker perhaps?

[youngtug]

It looks like there may be a couple of spoons in the object. It reminds me of something I saw once, did any family members visit Japan after/during WW2

[harrywrag]

you mentioned that a relitive was a motorman was this on the cable cars  (tramcars ) of san francisco im mentioning this because on the last day of tramcars in glasgow lots of people put objects coins ect on the tram rails the tram passed over them flattening them could this have happened to the object you have

                                                   harrywrag

[Lisa in California]

It is the presence of acid that causes the green, without it the oxide film would be brown.

Melting temp for iron and steel varies but starts just above 2,000f. Copper is slightly below that and bronze and brass are lower, although above 16650f.   Gold, silver and aluminium are lower [in that order]

Got it.  Thank you for the additional details. My saucepan bottoms actually have quite a bit more brown when they aren’t polished but do occasionally have a bit of green.  I will keep the melting points in mind; they may come in handy.  Thank you again, youngtug!

[Lisa in California]

A door knocker perhaps?

I know there are several suggestions for cutlery but (a special) door knocker is something that I could envision the family having and wanting to keep.  It is also just about the right weight for a door knocker.

Thank you for your idea, Footo!

[Lisa in California]

It looks like there may be a couple of spoons in the object. It reminds me of something I saw once, did any family members visit Japan after/during WW2

I don’t believe anyone left California. There were only a few family members who would have had the object as a couple and their two children settled in California c1880.  I don’t believe they knew anyone who travelled.

Thank you for continuing to offer suggestions, youngtug.

[Lisa in California]

you mentioned that a relitive was a motorman was this on the cable cars  (tramcars ) of san francisco im mentioning this because on the last day of tramcars in glasgow lots of people put objects coins ect on the tram rails the tram passed over them flattening them could this have happened to the object you have

                                                   harrywrag

What an interesting story, harrywrag!  I lived in San Francisco when the cable cars were shut down for two years.  I remember a few of my workmates going outside and having photos taken near a cable car.  I like your story more, though.  What a clever thing to do to mark the occasion.

Perhaps a family member found the object in the rails when he went back to work?  Thank you for your idea, harrywrag.

PS We have a photo of the son-in-law while he was at work.  I believe he was posing in front of a streetcar (which ran on rails). I will search for the photo tomorrow as I’m curious what he operated.

All of the ideas have been excellent and very much appreciated.

[maddys52]

I like the suggestion of a door knocker. Maybe it could also be the house number?

(I mentioned this thread to my OH who suggested it might be a neuralyzer.  )