Could someone please identify this? (almost solid copper)

I found this in a creek. I've already started tearing it down. It weighs 20-25lbs. When I hit it with a file it's solid copper but, has a coating of chrome or something. Thanks!

Ya some sortts industrial light fixture is a real good guess. Better then anything i got.
Is it surrounded by cast aluminium like motors maybe? It wouldnt be bad if it is at least it cuts easy and around me its .50/lb.
Nice find.

A light that would sit in a fountain. And I think it is mostly brass as well

Here's a few more pics. There are no electric wires throughout. It has some sort of filter/radiator inside of it. I believe it has something to do with water. As far as red brass, maybe but I'm thinking copper. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Filthy

gotta be a pond fountain or a pond filter or drain cap.

You might be on the right track! There was a pink colored pipe (plastic or ceramic) attached around the rim(where the filter is).

That is not brass, it is copper. Some copper turns red from sitting in water. Red brass is not red in color, molded brass is called red brass but it is still yellow in color. That looks like it came off the top of an old water heater or something with the tubbing coming off the top.

Red Brass
Although this reddish pink brass' usage is declining, it is still commonly recycled. The red tint is due to the high amount of copper as Red Brass is made up of 85% copper and15% zinc, with very small traces of lead and tin. Common uses, among others, include sprinklers and shut off valves.

Semi-red Brass
As a cheaper element mixture that is equally as useful as red brass, Semi-red Brass is slowly replacing the older "Red Brass" in today's market place. This type of brass consists of a mixture of 80% copper, 10% zinc, 5% tin, 2-3% lead and other trace elements. It's common uses are similar to red brass

Love that green on the inside .

Check to make sure there is no steel on it, or too many other non mettalic attachments. If there is you are probably going to get a refinery price for it. I would take it to a yard that has a Niton, that way they can test the chemistry and pay you for what it actually is, nt what they want it to be.

I got it torn down and it turned out to be approximately 99% copper. A little bit of polishing on the bench grinder will have it "bare bright" in no time!!
I was actually wild mushroom hunting when I found it. Good thing I always carry a Leatherman with a file on it!!! I had to google NITON. The yard I (usually) go to is the largest in the northeast so I would hope they'd atleast have a handheld NITON. I'll check though. Thanks guys

Oh by the way, if I'm sure that it's copper(soft, i can slice it with my hatchet) should I still have it's chemistry checked? Thanks

OXIDATION is copper it looks to be

Originally Posted by Filthy

hmm.. mycology. nice

I guess you could say amateur mycologist, I just like the eating part

If it does turn out to be all copper, dont waste your time polishing it for bare bright. The specs for the mills that buy bare bright is for bright and shiny wire only. Just clean it up enough to get #1 for it. YOu should still have it shot though because copper is a soft metal and it is usally alloyed with something for apllications other than pipes and wire. Also if there is any threading in the holes, it will be #2 copper. Threads on copper will always make it #2, unless you sell it some place where they dont know that

Originally Posted by cmcbuyer

YOu should still have it shot though because copper is a soft metal and it is usally alloyed with something for apllications other than pipes and wire.

Thanks for the advice. If they shoot it and find it to be alloyed with something, will that hurt or help it's value?