From the small size (it is a 'flathead' cylinder head BTW) - this is probably a small donkey engine or a generator/welder.  I would guess donkey engine depending on context - timber management maybe?.  There were some flathead V6 configured engines in tractors in the 30s-50s but I don't think they were this small.  

Stacy Kozakavich <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  Hello Histarch-ers,

I'm inspired by all the industrial machine/process expertise we 
evidently have on this list to make an appeal for help in identifying an 
artifact found this summer at my ca. 1885-1935 dissertation research 
site in Tulare Co., California: It's a cast iron object which looks like 
some sort of cylinder head, and measures very roughly 10" x 6" x 1.5". 
The number on the top view is "6251[?]1-4."

Pictures here:
https://webfiles.berkeley.edu/stacyk/public_html/Machine_Part.jpg

Any ideas on what kind of engine/machine this may be from?

Thanks!
Stacy Kozakavich

Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Anthropology
University of California, Berkeley



S.P. Austin