Sarah,

It's a gas burner perhaps from an "Andes Ranger" model range manufactured by 
the "Andes Range and Furnace Company" of Geneva, New York (or one of their 
furnaces, as it appears a bit large for a range). The "Andes" brand earlier 
belonged to the Phillips & Clark Stove Company of Troy, NY, which moved to 
Geneva in 1885, and changed the company name to "Andes Range and Furnace 
Company" in 1924. There is a brief company history and photos here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=GCb90El9tuUC&pg=PA44&dq=Andes+Range+%26+Furnace+Company&sig=e_t4csLgZZqn3fN3CLJodmQ2ktg#PPA44,M1

You can view a very similar Andes burner in this patent drawing from a 1931 
patent application:

http://www.google.com/patents?id=euZ4AAAAEBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=%22gas+range%22+andes


Bob Skiles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There is also an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, 
without either virtue or talents ... The artificial aristocracy is a 
mischievous ingredient in government, and provisions should be made to 
prevent its ascendancy."

- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah A. Molik" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 1:46 PM
Subject: The perplexing artifact


>I was wondering if anyone could help me.  I have a strange artifact that 
>was
> found, and am totally stumped as to what it could be.  I've had 
> suggestions of
> everything from an old gas burner from a stove to a trac tor part to an
> elevation marker.  The object is 29 centimeters long, 13 centimeters wide, 
> and
> 3 1/2 centimeters in thickness.  It has six spokes coming out of the main 
> pole,
> and machine-made holes 1 centimeter apart in said spokes.  the other side
> has "ANDES B12 BE 3023" embossed on the back.  I've listed links to 
> pictures
> below.
>
> If anyone has any insight to the identity of this particular artifact, I'd 
> be most
> greatful.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sincerey,
>
> Sarah
>
> http://curtinarchaeology.com/HPIM1360.jpg
>
> http://curtinarchaeology.com/HPIM1361.jpg