unusual piece

[Jose159]

I dug this up near some long abandon railroad tracks near an early 1900s coal mine.It is all non ferrous except for the 4 plugs that are on the bottom . Any ideas?

 

[hoser]

Looks like a steel cable splice. I would guess because of the slight bend at both ends, it was something that was pulled back and forth and with the bends it wouldn't catch on whatever it was dragged over. Cool find.

 

[PAdogman]

Looks like a steel cable splice. I would guess because of the slight bend at both ends, it was something that was pulled back and forth and with the bends it wouldn't catch on whatever it was dragged over. Cool find.

Excellent. That fits the pics perfectly.

ETA: Not plugs, set screws

 

[markinmichigan]

Looks like a steel cable splice. I would guess because of the slight bend at both ends, it was something that was pulled back and forth and with the bends it wouldn't catch on whatever it was dragged over. Cool find.

Maybe a pole line splice? Hoser has nailed it again.

Mark in Michigan

 

[Jose159]

Yep...I think Hoser is right!...and dogman is also right . After looking at it again I can see that the plugs really are set screws to hold the cable.. Thanks all