Old Federated Metal Lead Bar

Found this kicking around the basement. It has been down there since
the 80's and I thought I would bring it up and share it with the group.
I put my pocket piece in the shot to show scale of size.
Do we have any alchemists in the group that have learned to
change lead into Gold :too-funny:

Terry

 

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wash your hands

 

Nice find! Not lead, however. Babbitt metal is used for bearing linings. It can be mostly lead, but it can also be mostly tin. Just depends. Read more here.

 

Its actually, as it says, Babbitt. That's an alloy used for main bearings in engines among other uses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(metal)

 

Thank You for the information guys. I always thought it was just lead
and a just neat looking bar.Any ideas on how to tell the
composition of the bar other than in a lab
(Handled with a rag)

Terry

 

I was wondering about composition, too. I will bet, other than in a lab, the only way to find out would be to get ahold of an old Federated Metals book. "Boveall" should be the trade-name of a particular alloy, probably trademarked by Federated Metals years and years ago.

 

Here is one that was auctioned, I don't have a membership to tell the price, but it does indicate that it was used for bullets so it is a lead based Babbitt.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-lead-bar-boveall-babbitt-federated-metals

 

Don't discount the value of lead. It is a vital element to the alternative energy industry. Also good for making bullets and fishing sinkers in a SHTF senario.

 

Nice basement find!

 

Actually, the oxide of lead is yellow. This fact was one of the reasons, besides weight, that alchemists thought lead could be changed to gold, since if you left it out it turned a yellowish/light gold color. I have many ancient Chinese lead coins, and they all are yellowish unless cleaned.

 

nice ingot. funny thing is me and my dad used to goto alot of rummages. if there was lots and tools chances are youd run into some old ingots dirt cheap. this half & half bar i got for 50 cents many years ago. i dont remember where the other ingot came from and the small round one was home made.