ball and chain, lead downrigger, or mini wrecking ball?

I'm thinking downrigger but am not sure. It's about 6 lbs and 3.5" in diameter.

Thanks for any comments.

 

I agree it is a downrigger.

 

Thx!

 

Never seen iron downrigger weights out here always lead

 

Hmmm . . . It is magnetic. Tried finding pics on iron downriggers, but they were new and looked like this:

Since mine looks pretty weathered, I tried to find out when iron downriggers first came out. No luck there. Now I'm wondering. My item does look a bit more like the ball part of this ball and chain:

 

Agreed. Ball from ball & chain. Use it to stop customers running away.

 

Of course. The old ball & chain. Resemblance is amazing.

 

Dude's would be for very small customers.

 

Could be a gate weight.

 

Hi,
I agree with S.I.S about it being a gate closure. You see a lot of them in Williamsburg VA. It is funny but I used two lead outriggers as weights for an old clock until I found replacements.
greg

 

That's interesting! Similarly, I used an old clock for a downrigger weight - so - snap!

 

That look says it all!!

 

And did you see the design on the harness? Poor thing....

 

So is everyone in agreement at this point that it is indeed a gate weight, not a ball (minus the chain) or downrigger weight?

 

Hi,
I vote for gate weight. If it is iron it would rust to nothing if an outrigger. Too small for ball and chain unless it is for a baby.
greg

 

I'd say more likely a scale weight

 

Hmm . . . A new possibility.