Andrew:
You may want to consider some of these parts to 
be from farm equipment. The brake handle reminds 
me of the type used on a hay rake or tractor. The 
axle looks as if it could be from an old tractor. 
The area where these objects were found might be 
an old farm. Early (and sometimes present) 
farmers had/have the habit of dumping their old 
equip in gullies to be used as fill.
Just a suggestion.
DP


At 12:08 AM 10/18/2009, you wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>I am working on my master’s degree on a couple of sites in Southwest
>Michigan.  We located a number of automobile parts on the surface or just
>below the surface.  One of the parts appears to be an axle,
>another might be a gearshift or emergency brake with a spring-loaded handle,
>and “T 240” stamped into the metal.  The site dates from the
>mid-19th century to the mid-20th century.  I am wondering if anyone has any
>information/sources to assist in identify the parts and/or the vehicle model
>these parts came from.
>
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/39493264@N08/
>
>Thank you,
>
>Andrew Robinson
>Master's Candidate
>USFS Archaeological Crew Lead
>Colville National Forest, Newport, WA