What Is It?

[JohnP]

Should be easy.

[Carolina Coyote]

Hub out of a wagon wheel.  cc

[FinsnFur]

It's hard to tell how big it is, but while it sure looks like Carl nailed it, it kind of looks way too big to be a wagon wheel hub

[HaMeR]

I'm thinking a hub for a wagon wheel too but not a small wagon. One of the bigger ones that was used to bring the hay or straw in with. My 2nd guess would be some sort of paddle wheel but I don't think those had metal on them. 

[JohnP]

Hub out of a wagon wheel.  cc

Bingo!  From a covered wagon or so the historian at the desert museum told us.  I found it several years ago out in the middle of the desert.

[msmith]

Wow! Now that's pretty cool. I don't suppose it has any fiscal value, but I could only imagine the stories that thing could tell. That would make a good conversation piece for the mantle.

[alscalls]

Looks like a hub for a milling turnstile.....
I figured it to be too big for a wheel.....

[vvarmitr]

Here I thought it was the center to one of those chandeliers they hang in rustic homes. 


Was there any particular reason that made him think it was from a covered wagon?

[Carolina Coyote]

That for sure is a collectors item, would like to see the wagon it came off of. cc

[JohnP]

Was there any particular reason that made him think it was from a covered wagon?

We looked at some pictures and he took some measurements and came to the conclusion that it was from a Conestoga Wagon.  Considerably larger than your generic "covered wagon".  He also said that it could carry up to six tons of goods, eight to ten horses to pull it. 

[bambam]

Here's one that belonged to my Granddad. I made a lamp out of it. Those  things are  heavy !!

[golfertrout]

thats is cool as all get out John i bet there are all kinds of artifacts around your place.

[GunDog]

Mr John that is a pretty neat find there for sure. How far back did the feller date it?