Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 A friend purchased an ingot at a flea market, thinking it was lead. He gave it to me for bullet casting. However it is not lead. It is 12 inches long and is divided into 3 parts. 1 part is 2x as long as the other 2. It bears the letters BHC. the 2 smaller sections each have a 3 on them. The local scrap yard doesn't know and they did not have a "gun" to test it, the nearest gun is in downtown St. Louis. Anybody have any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 What's your reason for thinking it is not lead? Does it seem soft? What color is it when scratched? If it seems light, it may be zinc or aluminum. Test with a magnet to see if it's ferrous edit: Maybe it's silver? :-) Then, lucky you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 Not ferrous. pretty hard, rings when you hit it with a hammer. Silver underneath the patina/oxidation, not magnetic. Have had no luck with google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knarley Bob Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Perhaps linotype or monotype? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 What are the dimensions, how much does it weigh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Take it to a (real) jeweler and ask him (if he has the simple equipment) to perform a streak test for silver. Briefly, the test piece is dragged hard, across a hard black stone, then the resulting streak mark is flooded with a specific acid. The resulting reaction indicates or contraindicates the presence of the metal being tested tor. This process is often used to provide a quick and dirty test for various grades of gold and for silver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Frank Norfleet Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Babbitt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Zinc maybe? OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 dimensions are 12"x2 7/8" x 1 3/8" weighing 9.4 lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 that volume of lead should weight about 19 lbs, silver about 16 lbs, aluminum about 4.5 lbs. if I did the math right and if they are pure. your block is about twice as heavy as aluminum, iron 8.8, Maybe nickle, or steel? if the block is a mix of elements, it can be almost anything. Just guessing really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Just a possibility. Since the ingot is marked "BHC" http://www.barkenshardchrome.com/index.html Bhc Industries Inc Bhc Industries Inc B H C Industries Inc 239 East Greenleaf BoulevardCompton, CA 90220Phone: (310) 632-6807 Web: Bhcindustries.com Categorized under Chromium Plating of Metals or Formed Products. You might give them a call. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Just a possibility. Since the ingot is marked "BHC" http://www.barkenshardchrome.com/index.html Bhc Industries Inc Bhc Industries Inc B H C Industries Inc 239 East Greenleaf BoulevardCompton, CA 90220Phone: (310) 632-6807 Web: Bhcindustries.com Categorized under Chromium Plating of Metals or Formed Products. You might give them a call. LL This, I believe, sounds very plausible. When large machinery bearing surfaces wear out, they are very often metal-sprayed or plated, then machined back down to specification, rather than replacing a shaft, or cylinder, barrel, etc. Compton and that area of LA still has, or used to have, industrial operations that support heavy and light industrial, automotive and other industries. Your ingot may also be a sacrificial anode, however I believe that to be less likely, because the metals typically used for cathodic protection would, I think, be lighter in weight than what you have. Also, I suggest that, as a precautionary measure, you not handle the ingot too much with your bare hands until you identify it and rule out any toxic possibilities. It is an interesting little mystery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 Just a possibility. Since the ingot is marked "BHC" http://www.barkenshardchrome.com/index.html Bhc Industries Inc Bhc Industries Inc B H C Industries Inc 239 East Greenleaf Boulevard Compton, CA 90220 Phone: (310) 632-6807 Web: Bhcindustries.com Categorized under Chromium Plating of Metals or Formed Products. You might give them a call. LL Called that number and spoke to a very nice lady who informed me that the person that might know won't bw back tomorrow. She did say that it sounds like something they might have cast. I will keep you informed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Zinc maybe? OLG My money is on zinc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Out of curiosity I found a metal weight calculator on line. I entered the dimensions of 12" x 2.875" x 1.375" I selected every metal on the list and none matches the weight of your brick so it must be an alloy of some type. https://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/Weight-Calculator Some examples using your dimensions in Pounds: Steel 13.3 Aluminum 4.8 Nickel 15.2 Zinc 12.2 Cast Iron 12.2 Titanium 7.7 Gold 33.17 This was about the best calculator I could find. I thought it was interesting that Zinc and Cast Iron were almost identical. I only list one decimal place here. It'll be interesting to find out what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Babbitt? This is the material that used to be applied to bearing journals (especially in engines) many years ago before technology went to inserted bearings. I have a set or tools that my Grandfather used to use to dress the babbit after is was melted and cast to the journals. I remember my first car (a 50 Chevy) had cast main and rod bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Out of curiosity I found a metal weight calculator on line. I entered the dimensions of 12" x 2.875" x 1.375" I selected every metal on the list and none matches the weight of your brick so it must be an alloy of some type. https://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/Weight-Calculator Some examples using your dimensions in Pounds: Steel 13.3 Aluminum 4.8 Nickel 15.2 Zinc 12.2 Cast Iron 12.2 Titanium 7.7 Gold 33.17 This was about the best calculator I could find. I thought it was interesting that Zinc and Cast Iron were almost identical. I only list one decimal place here. It'll be interesting to find out what it is. Out of curiosity I found a metal weight calculator on line. I entered the dimensions of 12" x 2.875" x 1.375" I selected every metal on the list and none matches the weight of your brick so it must be an alloy of some type. https://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/Weight-Calculator Some examples using your dimensions in Pounds: Steel 13.3 Aluminum 4.8 Nickel 15.2 Zinc 12.2 Cast Iron 12.2 Titanium 7.7 Gold 33.17 This was about the best calculator I could find. I thought it was interesting that Zinc and Cast Iron were almost identical. I only list one decimal place here. It'll be interesting to find out what it is. Iron and zinc are very close in the periodic table, they should be close. One decimal place makes more sense than anything else, the measurements are 12" x 2.875" x 1.375" which is not more than one decimal place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Iron and zinc are very close in the periodic table, they should be close. One decimal place makes more sense than anything else, the measurements are 12" x 2.875" x 1.375" which is not more than one decimal place. Yes, I know. I should have been more clear. I meant the decimal places on the website when they show the weights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Well it is going to have to wait until I can get to a scrap yard that has the equipment to test the ingot. I called the gentleman at BHC. He advised that his company did not cast the ingot in question, but his vote was babbitt. The problem with determining by weight is that the measurements are estimates because the ingot is not square or uniform in shape. It's a mystery until I can find a tester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I did a search regarding the use of Babbitt for bullets. It appears that it does have it's uses for making bullets. https://www.google.com/search?q=can+babbitt+be+used+for+bullets&rlz=1CASMAI_enUS724US724&oq=can+babbitt+be+us&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57.6232j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 The second link down has some interesting information regarding Babbitt. When I clicked the Castboolits link there was some discussion on pure Babbitt bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Thornton Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 BTT, as I remain on the edge of my seat awaiting the results of what this mystery is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 At that weight, maybe you can use them as pistol bullets at CAS distances, but I think they are too light for rifle distances. And then there is the question of whether they would foul or damage your pistols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Rose, SASS #45478 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 Zinc maybe? OLG Zinc, yes. 93% with 1% tungsten and 6% other, also known as diecast. My ingot is worth 15 cents a pound. I brought it home, worth more as a door stop. Although it was entertaining for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Well, at least you have a good doorstop. Thanks for posting what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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