Jefferson,

Looks like (one-half of a) a "babbitt sleeve" for centering a large main 
shaft (like one which may be found in any system for distributing power 
from an engine to other machines ... like connecting a steam-engine to a 
sawmill, for example).

The functioning of babbitt sleeves is explained in one example (ca 
1900), here:

https://books.google.com/books?id=iqAiAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA93&dq=%22stuffing+box%22+babbitt&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis7qin_oLOAhXG34MKHaBPC_s4ChDoAQgyMAI#v=onepage&q=%22stuffing%20box%22%20babbitt&f=false

Regards,

Bob


On 7/20/2016 3:02 PM, Jefferson Seaver wrote:
> I’m hoping for help identifying the artifact pictured at http://imgur.com/gallery/4qjHX <http://imgur.com/gallery/4qjHX>
> Material: lead
> Probably dates 1850-1900
> Associated with a site in Michigan that included a sawmill, shipbuilding, and brick making activity
> Thanks for your help.
>
> —
> Jefferson Seaver  |  616-262-0345
>